Hunters Safety Course ?
 

Is this important to you ?

Well, in most states you can't get a license without taking one.

I personally feel that a firearms safety course should be mandatory for all students in middle school.

This is true for young hunters but if you were born before 1949 to 1960 or so (depending on the US State ) you are not required to take a hunters safety course .

I have mixed feelings. I think you should be able to just get your liscense, but I am also worried by the sheer idiocy and ignorance of a lot of hunters out there. During hunting season, my girlfriend won't ride her horse around because people shoot at movement, rather than confirmed deer. Every year they shoot a couple sheep, cows, etc. (maybe people too).

My uncle taught me evrything I need to know, then had me take a safety course.:D

I think every young person starting to shoot should have to do a course. In the club I am in, I had a rule passed that every junior member has to either do the course, or have to be accompanied by a senior member for a year before they can hunt on their own

I absolutely agree.

I took a firearm safety course (*holds up his orange firearm safety card*) when I was 14 or so.

I have taken one. I know its the law that all hunters (as of 1986?) have to have taken the course. Does it help? Honestly, I grew up in the woods, so I already knew most of the info....but I could see how it could help a NEW hunter.

In Canada, we are required to pass the hunter training course and a firearms safety course. I have no problem with mandatory testing, all it can do is make people a bit more knowledgeable.

I think your poll needs to be changed.

I've taken two separate safety courses and neither was a hunter's safety class :)

I really thought my course was going to be a waste of time. In New York it takes something like 8 to 10 hours. As it turns out I was very happy I took it. The instructors were local hunters and did a great job teaching gun safety and safety while hunting. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the course.

i took the course and i think it was very interesting and imformative to new and vet hunters

While my dad did teach me to hunt safe and responsible. a safety course would still be important to me as a refresher, not to mention an update on new regulations.
Michigan woods are a dangerous place durring deer season.
I wish more hunters would take hunters saftey more seriously!
Some idiots just shoot anything that moves........come on! "DEER ARE NOT ORANGE!!!!!!"

I intend to as son as I have the free time. I don't know if I'l be geting a gun anytime soon, but I strongly feel that anyone who will handle a gun should be required to take safety courses.

Hey the hunter safety course is the first step. The next is to take a Firearms safety course and Know your fire arm before you take it out hunting..

I'm impressed with the poll results. Just about everyone here takes safety seriously. It only reenforces what I already knew about gun enthusiasts.

Everyone born after 1-1-1967 has to take it in Missouri. Anyone born before that is encouraged to. They're great courses. You can learn alot, if just from the peer interaction.

Wow ! I'm impressed ! I cant wait to tell the other Hunter Safety instructors the results of this poll . I personally ( along with 2 other instructors ) have instructed about 500 students . I first did it to compile club hours ( you need 20 hrs of club chores and are penalized 10 bucks for every hour you do not complete plus the club dues ) but found out quickly that this was more than that . I've been to a 4 day academy at Higgins lake were the DNR personally teach the instructors . With their help I've instructed the deaf,blind and people of all handicaps to be a safe hunter . I had a young lady who had down syndrome pass the oral exam so she could hunt with her Dad ... when she hugged me goodbye at the end of the course the look in her proud fathers face almost brought me to tears . This in itself makes me proud to be involved in the hunting sports .

i think that hunters saftey course should be absolutely required no matter what in ever state NO MATTER WHAT... but that just me i mean, im sure lots you out there always wanted to take a stray shot from a 30.06

Yes. Firearms safety is important and not just for hunters.

I firmly believe anyone who wants to own a gun receive firearms training regardless of their reason. Everyone who wants to own or use any gun should take a "basic" firearms training course. Hunters definitely need that training, part to instruct and part to screen out crazies with guns.
Concealed Carry is also a great course, even for those who wouldn't carry concealed. They teach the laws regarding ownership and use of firearms.

I believe that hunter safety is a worthy effort to keep the irresponsible people out of the woods. I am glad to see there is more field training now than there was when I took the course.

In Oklahoma one must have a valid hunters safety card in order to purchase a hunting license. Actually everyone born after a certain date but I don't remember what that date is.

As a side note, I am also a certified NRA Rifle safety instructor.