Hunting education?

[Smossy]

Trying to get into bowhunting, Got most of my gear.

Need to get into a hunters education class and Ive heard mixed things about it.
Ok first of all, is there a field training course you have to take?
Or is it just a simple class that once Ive got out of the way Im good to go?
What time of year do most of the classes usually start to run?

Id like to get out this year and atleast wonder aimlessly into a GMU.

Im in the Spanaway/Roy area and am no stranger to traveling alittle for the chase. Being is my average trip to go fish is about 1-2 hour drive.

[Bob33]

You can wander aimlessly to your heart's content without any training. Just be sure to wear bright colors if you're aimlessly wandering during a modern firearm season.

In order to legally hunt in Washington you need to pass Hunter (not hunting) Education unless you were born before 1972. 

There are two types of classes: Traditional and Online. You can read more about them, and register for a course at the following link: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/

[Smossy]

Hey thanks Bob. Ill take a look.

[Smossy]

Ok so its looking to me that even If i decided to take the online course I would have to do a live field class also? Might as well just do completely traditional if that is the case.

[turkeyfeather]

Except that you won't have to sit for 2-3 hours a night for a week with a bunch of kids.

[Bob33]

If you complete the online course you would need to attend a four hour skills evaluation session. If you take the traditional course, it will range from about 12 to 20 hours total class/field course/live fire time, depending on the instructor team.

[Smossy]

If you complete the online course you would need to attend a four hour skills evaluation session. If you take the traditional course, it will range from about 12 to 20 hours total class/field course/live fire time, depending on the instructor team.

Ok wow I wasnt aware of that. So maybe an online course then field test would probably be my best bet. Thats "IF..... Like me and another gentleman discussed earlier, Me being a felon I cant be around firearms any way shape or form at the current moment. Not that im on probation or anything Ive been out for almost 3 1/2 years but... I was told that the hunter education courses mostly revolve around firearms and safety with firearms. Im not quite sure how that would work then If Im not legally allowed to be around them? I was given some great Ideas but Im interested in to what everyone else thinks...

[Bob33]

If you complete the online course you would need to attend a four hour skills evaluation session. If you take the traditional course, it will range from about 12 to 20 hours total class/field course/live fire time, depending on the instructor team.

Ok wow I wasnt aware of that. So maybe an online course then field test would probably be my best bet. Thats "IF..... Like me and another gentleman discussed earlier, Me being a felon I cant be around firearms any way shape or form at the current moment. Not that im on probation or anything Ive been out for almost 3 1/2 years but... I was told that the hunter education courses mostly revolve around firearms and safety with firearms. Im not quite sure how that would work then If Im not legally allowed to be around them? I was given some great Ideas but Im interested in to what everyone else thinks...

You can still take and complete hunter education training. You need to tell the instructor that you are not legally allowed to handle firearms and they can accommodate you.

[Smossy]

If you complete the online course you would need to attend a four hour skills evaluation session. If you take the traditional course, it will range from about 12 to 20 hours total class/field course/live fire time, depending on the instructor team.

OK wow I wasn't aware of that. So maybe an online course then field test would probably be my best bet. That's "IF..... Like me and another gentleman discussed earlier, Me being a felon I cant be around firearms any way shape or form at the current moment. Not that I'm on probation or anything I've been out for almost 3 1/2 years but... I was told that the hunter education courses mostly revolve around firearms and safety with firearms. I'm not quite sure how that would work then If I'm not legally allowed to be around them? I was given some great Ideas but I'm interested in to what everyone else thinks...

You can still take and complete hunter education training. You need to tell the instructor that you are not legally allowed to handle firearms and they can accommodate you.

OK AWSOME, thank you that was what I was looking for. I just know I can only legally hunt with a bow now, But it seems liked you almost had to jump through tiny tiny hoops just to even be able to do that legally. I'm not into poaching that *censored* is disgusting. So If I cant get legal I cant provide.

[Bob33]

Here is the applicable policy. It does appear that some classes may not accommodate individuals that cannot legally handle firearms, but I think that is the exception.

Students Who May Not Handle Firearms

Policy: Instructors shall notify classes that some students are prohibited from possessing or handling firearms.
Felons and persons convicted of certain domestic violence offenses are prohibited from possessing or handling firearms, but convicted felons sometimes enroll in Hunter Education training without first notifying course Instructors.

Hunter Education Instructors should review the information poster on firearms possession with students at the first class meeting and advise that anyone who is prohibited from possessing or handling firearms meet with the Instructor at the first opportunity.

The firearm prohibition includes muzzleloaders, but excludes air rifles and bows. A student prohibited from possessing or handling firearms may only participate in live-fire exercise using .177 air rifles or Genesis bows. If .177 air rifles or Genesis bows are not available, Instructors that want to accommodate such students should contact the Hunter Education Field Coordinator.

Instructors who use center-fire or rim-fire firearms for live-fire activities are not required to offer air rifles or Genesis bows solely to accommodate prohibited persons. If an instructor cannot accommodate such a student, the student should be referred to another course where he or she can be accommodated. As is the case with all students, those who are prohibited from handling firearms may not bring their own air rifles or bows to classroom, field course, or live-fire or activities.

[Smossy]

Thanks for digging up the information for me. Seems like its going to be quite difficult. Well see how it goes though I just hope I dont have to travel out of state just to get my hunter education course in. Being as I dont have that kind of money.

[ghosthunter]

Thanks for digging up the information for me. Seems like its going to be quite difficult. Well see how it goes though I just hope I dont have to travel out of state just to get my hunter education course in. Being as I dont have that kind of money.

You won't if you make it a priority now. The longer you wait in the year the harder it will be to get in a class. And most classes will be over by the end of August as instructors start getting ready to go hunting themselves.

[jackmaster]

Please don't take this as being rude, but anyone born after72 has to take hunter Ed or an online course with field time, this you already know, in my opinion EVERYONE should have to take a course, I just went through hunter Ed with my daughter and it was awesome, especially for young kids but there were also adults taking the class, the class ran from Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 in the evening and then the field course was Saturday and that was all she wrote...I think it would benefit you a great deal to attend a class, you live in span away from what it looks like and Paul Bunyan isn't that far from you at all, and they are great instructors. Good luck

[Smossy]

Thanks for digging up the information for me. Seems like its going to be quite difficult. Well see how it goes though I just hope I dont have to travel out of state just to get my hunter education course in. Being as I dont have that kind of money.

You won't if you make it a priority now. The longer you wait in the year the harder it will be to get in a class. And most classes will be over by the end of August as instructors start getting ready to go hunting themselves.

Thats what I thought myself to. Anyone have suggestions on a place to maybe go or take my course? I really would hate to miss out on this years bowhunting season =/

[Bob33]

Open the link I posted earlier and search by location to find the courses closest to you.