Hunters Ed Age Question

[ghosthunter]

I believe I just read somewhere on the WDFW page that they are considering changing legislation to change the required minimum age.
Not sure when that'll change.

But as for now... I think the only requirement is that they can read and write, and are accompanied by an adult.

I took it back when I was 12 and my little brother also went with, and was 10.
He only passed because my uncle sat with him through the written test.... and sort of... helped.
My parents made him take it again 2 years later. Funny story with that one.

No requirement to be able to read the text can be read to you. You seem to find requirements for hunters ed and coyote hunting in different places than anyone else.

^^^ LOL

They don't need to be able to read, or write, but they need to comprehend. They only fill in a bubble on the written test portion, no actual writing required. Actually no parental guardian required either.

The instructors DID say that it is being pushed to have 8+ as a minimum age to sign up for the class, that hasn't passed yet though.

We JUST completed our hunter's ed last week. For anyone 10 and under it was mandatory that an instructor read them the questions for the written test portion, they had no choice. Parents/guardians/ANY non-student or non-instructor were sent out of the class and everyone was split up on their own table for testing (and to avoid that same situation BigLukke just described with someone "helping" a younger student). I would definitely say 10 should be the minimum age. That was the minimum age of the passing students in class it seemed and the ones that were younger it was their second time in class. Quite a few of the youngest didn't make it though.

I have taught hunter Ed for over 20 years their is no rule which requires a instructor to read a test to a student. The instructor may offer to read the test. But is not required in any way to do so.

Some teaching teams may have that as their  team rule. But it is not state required.

[C-Money]

I have an 8yo daughter and a 13yo nephew that need in a clas. Hope to find one in the Moses Lake area. I am gonna get serious about getting her in a class after her hockey season is over.

[ghosthunter]

We do not need an age limit for these classes. Why would anyone want that? Saying this only helps set the standards of the government to keep limiting us. 

My son took it just after he turned 9. He started showing an interest in hunting when he turned 8. From that point we went out as often as we could with his BB gun and taught him safety in firearms. Each and every time I handed him his BB gun we did the safety talk. I told him as well as my other boys that if they can show me responsibility with firearms we will move up to the next firearm. My son now has his own .243 and shot his first doe back in Oct during MF youth hunt. My other two boys have not shown the interest to much and are happy and content with a BB gun.

We as parents need to keep teaching our kids from the time they show interest until the time we are 6 feet under. Lazy parents and lazy kids is why the gov sets limits. Responsibility starts with the parents.

My son took it at 8 and passed. I have never had a 7 year old or younger pass it.
For every student under 8 that passes it ,there are 5 that cannot. The state has a lot of problems with attendance. People are signing up and not showing up. Thus the need for some fee to encourage them to show up or cancel in time to fill the seat.

So few students under 8 pass a traditional class that it is a waste of seat to have them in the class.
Before you flame me on this, I have done this for a long time in Skagit County ,I do not spend 20 hrs of my time to fail kids. I want them to succeed . But truth is most students under 8 are not ready.
And putting a younger kid in the class because a older brother or sister is ready to take it just a cop out by parents. Kids mature different.

But before anyone starts throwing rocks, I challenge you to join a teaching team and see for yourself. Anyone who wants to be a instructor or help in a Skagit County Class can PM me. My first class will be in Feb 2014.

[runningboard]

We do not need an age limit for these classes. Why would anyone want that? Saying this only helps set the standards of the government to keep limiting us. 

My son took it just after he turned 9. He started showing an interest in hunting when he turned 8. From that point we went out as often as we could with his BB gun and taught him safety in firearms. Each and every time I handed him his BB gun we did the safety talk. I told him as well as my other boys that if they can show me responsibility with firearms we will move up to the next firearm. My son now has his own .243 and shot his first doe back in Oct during MF youth hunt. My other two boys have not shown the interest to much and are happy and content with a BB gun.

We as parents need to keep teaching our kids from the time they show interest until the time we are 6 feet under. Lazy parents and lazy kids is why the gov sets limits. Responsibility starts with the parents.

My son took it at 8 and passed. I have never had a 7 year old or younger pass it.
For every student under 8 that passes it ,there are 5 that cannot. The state has a lot of problems with attendance. People are signing up and not showing up. Thus the need for some fee to encourage them to show up or cancel in time to fill the seat.

So few students under 8 pass a traditional class that it is a waste of seat to have them in the class.
Before you flame me on this, I have done this for a long time in Skagit County ,I do not spend 20 hrs of my time to fail kids. I want them to succeed . But truth is most students under 8 are not ready.
And putting a younger kid in the class because a older brother or sister is ready to take it just a cop out by parents. Kids mature different.

But before anyone starts throwing rocks, I challenge you to join a teaching team and see for yourself. Anyone who wants to be a instructor or help in a Skagit County Class can PM me. My first class will be in Feb 2014.

I have the record of every person who ever took one of my classes and only had one 7 year-old pass. her dad was/is a very avid outdoorsman and her mom is a school teacher who made sure that girl learned to read at an early age. she also comprehends what she is reading. they live where they can (and do) virtually shoot off their back porch anytime they get the urge.
most youngsters who fail won't take it again for fear of failure. had one 13 year-old take another's class three times before coming to me and passing. not the other teams fault, he just was not ready in his own mind and gave up because he failed before when he was too young.

[deltaops]

We do not need an age limit for these classes. Why would anyone want that? Saying this only helps set the standards of the government to keep limiting us. 

My son took it just after he turned 9. He started showing an interest in hunting when he turned 8. From that point we went out as often as we could with his BB gun and taught him safety in firearms. Each and every time I handed him his BB gun we did the safety talk. I told him as well as my other boys that if they can show me responsibility with firearms we will move up to the next firearm. My son now has his own .243 and shot his first doe back in Oct during MF youth hunt. My other two boys have not shown the interest to much and are happy and content with a BB gun.

We as parents need to keep teaching our kids from the time they show interest until the time we are 6 feet under. Lazy parents and lazy kids is why the gov sets limits. Responsibility starts with the parents.

My son took it at 8 and passed. I have never had a 7 year old or younger pass it.
For every student under 8 that passes it ,there are 5 that cannot. The state has a lot of problems with attendance. People are signing up and not showing up. Thus the need for some fee to encourage them to show up or cancel in time to fill the seat.

So few students under 8 pass a traditional class that it is a waste of seat to have them in the class.
Before you flame me on this, I have done this for a long time in Skagit County ,I do not spend 20 hrs of my time to fail kids. I want them to succeed . But truth is most students under 8 are not ready.
And putting a younger kid in the class because a older brother or sister is ready to take it just a cop out by parents. Kids mature different.

But before anyone starts throwing rocks, I challenge you to join a teaching team and see for yourself. Anyone who wants to be a instructor or help in a Skagit County Class can PM me. My first class will be in Feb 2014.

I have the record of every person who ever took one of my classes and only had one 7 year-old pass. her dad was/is a very avid outdoorsman and her mom is a school teacher who made sure that girl learned to read at an early age. she also comprehends what she is reading. they live where they can (and do) virtually shoot off their back porch anytime they get the urge.
most youngsters who fail won't take it again for fear of failure. had one 13 year-old take another's class three times before coming to me and passing. not the other teams fault, he just was not ready in his own mind and gave up because he failed before when he was too young.

I understand the frustration when you have no shows or a kid doesn't pass because he couldn't comprehend.

I would like to see a fee imposed for when a youth signs up. The fee would be refunded on a passing score or maybe applied to the youths hunting license for that current hunting season. One does not pass or is a no show, no refund.

Maybe just impose a fee as stated above for everyone. 

To restrict someone because of age when they can comprehend may deter some. Then again this is only speculation and who knows, it could work, but I would just hate to see age restrictions when we already have so many restrictions when it comes to hunting in this State.

[7mmBuckley]

My son took it and passed it when he was 8, last year. I was going to have my 6 year old daughter take it at the same time but after the first 4 hour class I could tell she wasn't ready so she didn't continue the class but my son did great. I would not allow anybody to read him the test. I felt that he needed to do it all on his own and he did. He was very proud to pass both portions of the test. There were 23 students him being the youngest as well as adults and he was the 6th student done with the test and I was surprised to see him done so soon. He can't wait till he is 12 so he can hunt in Wyoming with me and his grandpa. Good luck.....bad muzzle control will be an automatic fail.

[Annette]

Last year I tool my 12 and 8 yr. old grandsons. After the first class the 8yr  old didn't want to return . So every child is different. I didn't want to deny the 8yr old but he dropped out on his own so it worked out, he wasn't ready , when he is we'll go again....:~*)

[Craig]

My 12 year old and 9 year old took it last year. The 12 year old passed and the 9 year old did not pass.

Some how they split up my kids and put my son with another 9 year old . With a instructor that made it clear all week that kids under 12 should not be allowed to take the course. I'm sure my son was not perfect ( we could not walk the course with them). But I was there every second of the class and practice session and he did pretty good. We walked the course after the test and is was the hardest course I have ever seen. The two 9 year olds were the only ones to fail.

After he failed the field course he stayed and completed the course and passed the written test by himself. Just to get the experience .

I'm going to sign him up for the online course this year. He should do ok.

[lokidog]

Craig,

I used to teach with a group in Lacey, was the field course down at Capital City Rifle and Pistol south of Littlerock?  I thought that it was a good and fair course.  I don't remember any bias toward younger participants, but it has been over ten years now. 

Mine, at ten, hasn't quite decided if he wants to hunt yet, so I'm standing by on him getting motivated to do the online class.

[Craig]

The class was out of Black Lake Fire Station in Tumwater. The head instructor was great and talked my son into staying and completing the class and take the test to see how he did. All of the instructors were great except 2-3 that were not shy about younger kids taking the class. They think they (WDFW) had dumbed down the class for younger kids and don't agree with it.

The class was in Littlerock and it's a pretty tough course. Don't think they have cleared brush in 10 years.

[billythekidrock]

I saw the same thing this year with the group at the Delphi fire station when my son took it. Some real good guys, but 2 or 3 that really seemed to have it in for the younger/smaller kids. It was great to see the smallest girl pass. She had a tough time, but was so excited when she heard that everyone passed.

[Bob33]

"All of the instructors were great except 2-3 that were not shy about younger kids taking the class. They think they (WDFW) had dumbed down the class for younger kids and don't agree with it."

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but in public situations you support the organization you represent. If they feel that strongly they should step down.

We've had many wonderful students under age10.

[coachcw]

I think it's great to educate kids at a young age about ethics and safety in the field and around firearms. as far as hunting I'd say ten at a minimum for big game leaning towards twelve or so . pulling the trigger is a final decision that needs to be taken seriously . partaking in the hunt at young ages is a bit different and if strengthens the family unit I'm all for it .

[nw_bowhunter]

I was 8 years old when I passed, dad taught me to shoot 270. I'm currently teaching my 4 year to shoot archery. It really comes down to the maturity. 

[ghosthunter]

The class was out of Black Lake Fire Station in Tumwater. The head instructor was great and talked my son into staying and completing the class and take the test to see how he did. All of the instructors were great except 2-3 that were not shy about younger kids taking the class. They think they (WDFW) had dumbed down the class for younger kids and don't agree with it.

The class was in Littlerock and it's a pretty tough course. Don't think they have cleared brush in 10 years.

As instructor of many years, and one who dosent always agree with the dept. I would suggest you contact the Hunter Ed Dept. or write a factual letter.
Everyone one should remember you can appeal any Hunter Ed result to the Dept. and if your claim is founded. They can reverse any instructor decision if it is not suported by policiey.
That is a good way to get changes.