Free hunter education courses are offered to persons interested in obtaining a New York State hunting license. Safe firearm handling, tree stand safety, hunting planning and safety are taught along with other New York State mandated content. Students successfully completing the course are issued the Hunter Education Certificates of Qualification required to obtain small or large game hunting licenses and participate in the High School Trap Shooting League.
Classes are offered at:
•Bergen Rod and Gun Club – Friday, March 20, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Interested students may contact the club directly or register online on the DEC registration site. Registration for this class opens on March 1. Students may obtain the required manuals from Bergen Rod and Gun Club, 6410 North Lake Road, Bergen, during Sunday open trap, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; from the Sweden Town Hall, 18 State Street, Brockport; Seymour Public Library, 1611 East Avenue, Brockport; or any DEC offices.
•Hamlin Recreation – Friday, April 3, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contact Hamlin Recreation or register online on the DEC registration site. Students may obtain the required manuals from Hamlin Recreation, 1658 North Lake Road, Hamlin or one of the other listed locations.
•Faith Alliance Church, Albion – Friday, April 17, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Interested student should register online at https://register-ed.com/programs/new_york/165. Manuals are available at the church, 3305 Oak Orchard Road, Albion, or from other sites noted.
•Conservation Club of Brockport – Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register online at https://register-ed.com/programs/new_york/165. Student Manuals are available at the Conservation Club of Brockport, 291 Ladue Road, Brockport, on Mondays during open trap, 4:30 to 8 p.m., or at other noted locations.
Manuals are also available from DEC offices or may be downloaded from the DEC website. Download directions are provided on the DEC site and during the registration process.
Brockport Conservation Club, Hamlin Recreation and Faith Alliance will also offer Hunter Education and Bowhunting classes in the fall. The Conservation Club of Brockport is also planning to offer Beginners Trap Shooting classes in June.
During 2019, hunters in New York had the fewest incidents and safest hunting season on record. Only 12 personal injury incidents were reported. Of the 12, one fatal injury resulted from failure to properly identify the target during a deer drive. Wearing hunter orange or pink while afield decreases the risk of hunting injury/incidents. Safe hunters also assume that every gun is loaded, they control the muzzle in a safe direction, keep their finger away from the trigger until firing, and they know their target and beyond.
Tree stand safety has also become a focus for safety training. More hunters are injured in tree stand falls than hunting related incidents. In the 2017, the first year that tree stand incidents were monitored, there were five related fatalities. In 2018 and 2019 no fatalities were reported. Hunters should always use safety systems to secure their safety whenever they climb hunt or descend.
The success of hunter education programs in New York is evident in the results. Despite declining numbers of hunters, the hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is falling much faster. Since the 1960s, while the number of hunters has declined about 20 percent, the incident rate has declined almost 80 percent. The current five-year average is 15.8 incidents per year, compared to over 137 per year reported in the 1960s. Classes have progressed from the kitchen table ad-hoc instruction of the 1940s and 1950s to the structured programs volunteer instructors now offer.
For more information about these upcoming courses, follow included course specific links at https://register-ed.com/events/view/120167, call the DEC Region 8 Headquarters at 226-2466, or visit the DEC website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/92267.html
Information about Conservation Club Hunter Education, Trap, Sporterifle, Pistol, or club membership is available by contacting mgcyrccob@gmail.com.
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