08-18-2007, 04:10 AM
Prospective hunters now have another option for taking hunter education training in Arizona.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has rolled out its new "introductory" hunter education course. The new program can be taken either in a classroom setting or by independent study online over the Internet. Both the classroom and online formats require students to demonstrate proficiency and pass an exam during a field day with certified instructors to complete the course.
"The new course was developed as a convenient alternative for beginning hunters who either don't have the time to take the traditional 20-hour basic class, or who can't find a class or an opening in their area," says Michael Golightly, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "The curriculum includes the most important elements of the basic class that beginning hunters need to know.
Content was developed over the past year through collaboration between Game and Fish education staff, wildlife managers and biologists, and volunteer hunter education instructors throughout the state. The course meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) national standards but is also tailored to Arizona's specific needs.
This new offering now gives people three primary alternatives for hunter education training in Arizona:
The new "introductory" course, which can be taken through 7-10 hours of classroom study or through self-paced, independent study online. Both options also require a 4- to 5-hour field day.
The traditional "basic" course, which encompasses about 20 hours, including a 4-hour field day.
The expanded "basic plus bowhunting" course, a 28-hour course that includes the basic class and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF)/International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) bowhunter education class, and a 5- to 6-hour field day.
Non-residents who have completed hunter education training in another state have an additional option: a "supplemental" course that educates them on Arizona hunting issues.
One of the cornerstones of all the courses is the development of a new, state-of-the-art hunter education manual. It covers firearms safety, ethics, hunting skills, hunting laws, survival skills and wildlife conservation, among other topics.
"The manual includes updated information on new technology and biology, as well as educational information on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation," says Ed Huntsman, acting education branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Arizona's current hunter education program graduates about 4,000 students annually. Courses are taught by about 460 volunteer instructors who are certified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is anticipated that more students, particularly young people, will take hunter education now that the new course is offered.
Huntsman says the new course isn't meant to replace the existing basic course.
"It's offered as a convenient alternative for people who might otherwise be deterred from taking a hunter education class due to time constraints," he says. "But we encourage people to get as much education as they can, and the classroom format offers a chance to ask questions of the instructor and interact with peers."
Huntsman encourages people to take advantage of other educational opportunities offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and sportsmen's groups. "Programs such as small game camps, clinics and watchable wildlife programs are available to give people the chance to learn more about hunting and wildlife and get reconnected with the outdoors. Keep checking the department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov for information on these activities," he says.
The cost to take the new introductory hunter education course is nominal, typically under $10 for the classroom option or $15 for the online course. To learn more about the course and to see when classes are offered, visit www.azgfd.gov/education and click on the "hunter education" link.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has rolled out its new "introductory" hunter education course. The new program can be taken either in a classroom setting or by independent study online over the Internet. Both the classroom and online formats require students to demonstrate proficiency and pass an exam during a field day with certified instructors to complete the course.
"The new course was developed as a convenient alternative for beginning hunters who either don't have the time to take the traditional 20-hour basic class, or who can't find a class or an opening in their area," says Michael Golightly, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "The curriculum includes the most important elements of the basic class that beginning hunters need to know.
Content was developed over the past year through collaboration between Game and Fish education staff, wildlife managers and biologists, and volunteer hunter education instructors throughout the state. The course meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) national standards but is also tailored to Arizona's specific needs.
This new offering now gives people three primary alternatives for hunter education training in Arizona:
The new "introductory" course, which can be taken through 7-10 hours of classroom study or through self-paced, independent study online. Both options also require a 4- to 5-hour field day.
The traditional "basic" course, which encompasses about 20 hours, including a 4-hour field day.
The expanded "basic plus bowhunting" course, a 28-hour course that includes the basic class and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF)/International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) bowhunter education class, and a 5- to 6-hour field day.
Non-residents who have completed hunter education training in another state have an additional option: a "supplemental" course that educates them on Arizona hunting issues.
One of the cornerstones of all the courses is the development of a new, state-of-the-art hunter education manual. It covers firearms safety, ethics, hunting skills, hunting laws, survival skills and wildlife conservation, among other topics.
"The manual includes updated information on new technology and biology, as well as educational information on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation," says Ed Huntsman, acting education branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Arizona's current hunter education program graduates about 4,000 students annually. Courses are taught by about 460 volunteer instructors who are certified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is anticipated that more students, particularly young people, will take hunter education now that the new course is offered.
Huntsman says the new course isn't meant to replace the existing basic course.
"It's offered as a convenient alternative for people who might otherwise be deterred from taking a hunter education class due to time constraints," he says. "But we encourage people to get as much education as they can, and the classroom format offers a chance to ask questions of the instructor and interact with peers."
Huntsman encourages people to take advantage of other educational opportunities offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and sportsmen's groups. "Programs such as small game camps, clinics and watchable wildlife programs are available to give people the chance to learn more about hunting and wildlife and get reconnected with the outdoors. Keep checking the department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov for information on these activities," he says.
The cost to take the new introductory hunter education course is nominal, typically under $10 for the classroom option or $15 for the online course. To learn more about the course and to see when classes are offered, visit www.azgfd.gov/education and click on the "hunter education" link.