Get Your Hunter Ed done now

 

Learning about the different types 
of firearms used in hunting is part of a 
Missouri Department of Conservation hunter
education skills session. People needing to take
skills sessions to receive hunter education
certification will have several opportunities
in the upcoming weeks.

Most Missouri hunters are required to take hunter's education. Though I was not, having been born prior to 1967, I did it anyway when my kids were taking it.  I have hunted my whole life, and at the very least it didn't hurt me.  There was information about hunting, firearm safety (obviously), tree stand safety, and much much more.  These sessions are from the Rolla area, but if you are somewhere else, just follow the links to get the information you need.

For general hunting, fishing, and other outdoor information, visit Family-Outdoors.

MDC to offer hunter education opportunities in upcoming weeks

Individuals needing hunter education have classroom and online options.

Rolla, Mo. – The calendar may still say “winter,” but many people are starting to prepare for upcoming hunting seasons. If taking hunter education is one of the things you need to do to enjoy firearms hunting opportunities this year, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has several options available.

Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1967 hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter education certification unless exempt (see exemptions listed below). MDC offers two hunter education options; an all-online format and a blended format.

The all-online format may be completed by Missouri residents age 16 and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider (not MDC). The all-online option requires the passing of a final exam; but has no skills portion.

The blended format has two parts - a knowledge portion and a skills session portion - and may be completed by Missouri residents age 11 and older. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide which is available at a number of MDC offices (including the Rolla MDC Office), or in a classroom setting. Participants choosing the free self-study guide must answer all chapter review exercises at the end of the study booklet and bring to the HED skills session, along with legal proof of date of birth.

Participants using the blended format must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants.

“Hunter education skills sessions fill up fast as we get closer to hunting seasons,” said MDC Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Justin McGuire. “MDC offers these classes year-round, so this is a great time of year to get your certification completed.” Participants using the blended format must complete and pass both portions to earn certification.

For individuals participating in the blended format, here is a list of skills sessions coming up in Maries, Pulaski, & Phelps counties:

February 16: 5 - 9 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall - Vienna, 206 6^th St., Vienna (Maries County). Sign up for this session and get more information at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182477

March 12: 5 - 9 p.m., Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District Emergency Services Training Center, 25785 Red Oak Rd., Waynesville (Pulaski County). Sign up for this session and get more information at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182716

March 21: 5 – 9 p.m., East Central Community College – Rolla North Campus, 2303 North Bishop Avenue (Hwy 63), Rolla (Phelps County). Sign up for this session and get more information at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/181818

To get a complete list of skills sessions being offered around the state, visit https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com (select by entering either Zip Code or County). COVID procedures will be in place for all of the above-mentioned hunter education events.

Exemptions to Missouri’s hunter education requirements are:

• Hunters born before Jan. 1, 1967
• Hunters age 15 or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years or older who is certified in hunter education.
• Hunters with a disability exemption from MDC
• Hunters age 16 or older who have purchased an apprentice hunter authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 or older
• Hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own.
• Hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter education course in another state

More information about hunter education can be found at mdc.mo.gov.

MDC offers a number of hunter education opportunities in upcoming months

 

Individuals needing hunter education have classroom and online options.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The calendar may still say “summer,” but many people are starting to prepare for this fall’s hunting seasons. If taking hunter education is one of the things you need to do to enjoy firearms hunting opportunities this year, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has several options available

Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1967 hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter education certification unless exempt (see exemptions listed below). MDC offers two hunter education options; an all-online format and a blended format.

The all-online format is an option that may be completed by Missouri residents age 16 and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider (not MDC). The all-online option requires the passing of a final exam, but has no skills portion.

The blended format is an option for students of all ages and has two parts. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants. Participants must complete and pass both portions to earn certification.

For individuals participating in the blended format, here is a list of skills sessions coming up in southeast Missouri:

• Aug. 15 – Marble Hill United Methodist Church, 300 Missouri Highway 34 (Bollinger County)
• Aug. 22 – Bloomfield Assembly Church, 20034 Missouri Highway E (Stoddard County)
• Aug. 22 – Ste. Genevieve VFW, 852 Memorial Drive (Ste. Genevieve County)
• Aug. 28, Elm Street Baptist Church, 2668 North Highway 105, Charleston (Mississippi County)
• Aug. 31 – Poplar Bluff Junior High School, 550 N. Westwood Blvd. (Butler County)
• Sept. 8 – Black River Electric, 2600 U.S. Highway 67, Fredericktown (Madison County)
• Sept. 11 – Arcadia Valley R-11 School, 750 W. Park, Ironton (Iron County)
• Sept. 19 – Scott City First Assembly of God Church, 312 Dearborn St. (Scott County)
• Sept. 24 – Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center Pavilion, Wappapello Lake, 10276 Missouri Highway T (Wayne County)
• Sept. 25 – Perryville Elks Lodge, 921 N. Perryville Blvd. (Perry County)
• Sept. 26 – MDC Ellington Office, 2929 Reynolds County Road 618 (Reynolds County)
• Oct. 2 – Rice Lecture Hall, Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills (St. Francois County)
• Oct. 3 – New Madrid Baptist Church, 1420 Scott St. (New Madrid County)
• Oct. 10 – Malden High School, 505 W. Burkhart St. (Dunklin County)

• Oct. 10 – MDC Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive (Cape Girardeau County)
• Oct. 24 – Diane Sayre Recreation Center, 1500 S. Truman Blvd. Caruthersville (Pemiscot County)

To register for one of these skills session or to learn more about Missouri's hunter education options and requirements, visit mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.

To help keep participants, instructors, and others safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, MDC will limit in-person class sizes to small numbers so social distancing can be practiced. Class availability will also be limited due to smaller class sizes and limited availability of venues. MDC will abide by applicable local health requirements and strongly encourages participants to bring and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available to participants, but masks will not be provided by at the above-listed classes.

“To help staff, volunteers, program participants, and others stay safe, MDC has changed the format and structure of some of our programs, including hunter education,” said MDC Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Justin McGuire. “Opportunities to attend an in-person hunter education class or skills session are available, but limited, at this time. MDC still offers ample opportunities for people to legally hunt in Missouri through youth exemptions, our apprentice hunter education authorization, and online hunter education.”

Exemptions to Missouri’s hunter education requirements are:

• Hunters born before Jan. 1, 1967
• Hunters age 15 or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years or    older who is certified in hunter education.
• Hunters with a disability exemption from MDC
• Hunters age 16 or older who have purchased an apprentice hunter authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 or older
• Hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own.
• Hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter education course in another state

More information about hunter education opportunities in southeast Missouri can be obtained by calling MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5730 or going to mdc.mo.gov.

Still time to take MDC hunter education

MDC offers hunter education year-round online, through self-study, and in the classroom.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – While firearms deer hunting is coming to an end, waterfowl, rabbit, squirrel, furbearer, quail, and other hunting seasons continue into the new year. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds those pursuing game with firearms that hunter education is required for most hunters. MDC offers hunter-education classes year-around online, through a self-study option, and in the classroom.

Missouri's hunter-education course is required for any hunter born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, who uses a firearm while hunting, unless exempt. Anyone 11 or older is eligible to take the course and exam. Hunters who have completed an approved hunter-education course in another state are not required to take Missouri’s hunter-education course.

“MDC’s hunter-education program provides a foundation in hunting safety and ethics,” said MDC Outreach and Education Unit Chief Kyle Lairmore, who coordinates the program. “It instills responsibility, improves skills and knowledge, and encourages interaction between beginner and veteran hunters. In fact, hunter education has reduced hunting incidents and deaths in Missouri by more than 70 percent since it became mandatory in 1987.”

Hunter education covers: hunter responsibility and ethics, how firearms work and firearm safety, wildlife identification, game care, survival, first-aid skills, firearm-handling skills and hunting techniques, awareness about wildlife conservation and management, and rules and information unique to Missouri.

“Nearly 24,000 new hunters have taken hunter education so far in 2018, including about 11,400 taking the all-online course,” Lairmore added. “We’re also seeing a pretty even split among male and female participants with most participants being ages 16 to 35, which are the younger hunters we are trying to reach.”

Hunter Education Options
MDC offers two options to complete hunter education. The “blended format” is for all ages and includes a knowledge session that must be completed online, in the classroom, or through a self-study guide followed by a skills session and final exam. MDC’s “all-online” option is for Missouri residents 16 years of age and older. They can complete the entire program online through coursework and a final exam without having to take the skills session.

For more information on MDC hunter education, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-skills-training.

Bowhunter Education Too!
MDC also offers voluntary bowhunter education in the classroom and online. While classroom offerings are limited, the online offering can be taken any time through a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. It includes live‐action, high-def videos complemented by a comprehensive instruction booklet. Participants must be at least 16 years old and a Missouri resident to take the online course. There is a $30 fee.

Long-time conservation agent wins hunter education honor

MDC recognizes Laclede County agent Walt Hutton for teaching efforts.

LEBANON, Mo. – Walt Hutton’s hunter education efforts in 2015 showed that a quarter-century of conservation work has not slowed him down.

Each year, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recognizes hunter education instructors whose efforts exceed regular teaching duties. Hutton, who lives in Lebanon and has been Laclede County’s agent for all but two of his 27 years with MDC, has been named the 2015 Hunter Education Conservation Agent Instructor of the Year. He was recognized for his achievement by MDC on July 12 in Jefferson City.

This past year, in addition to helping to coordinate classes for other instructors, Hutton personally taught eight classes and certified 222 students. Hutton also did 16 radio segments promoting hunter education classes in Laclede County and wrote eight newspaper articles promoting classes in the county. He also made contacts with individuals in the county to make arrangements for teaching sites.

“Through selfless service and dedication, Walt continues to make a positive impact on other people’s lives and on the communities he serves,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Greg Collier, who helps coordinate hunter education in MDC’s 17-county Southwest Region. “The results of his efforts are citizens and communities with a greater awareness of conservation, wildlife management and a greater appreciation for safe and ethical hunting.”

Missouri’s hunter education program is administrated by MDC and taught state-wide by more than 1,400 instructors. With the exception of exemptions listed in the Wildlife Code of Missouri, all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 must complete an approved hunter-education program to buy a firearms hunting permit.

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MDC hosts Hunter Education Skills Session at Perryville Elks Lodge

Register online for the July 29 course.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a Hunter Education Skills Session at the Perryville Elks Lodge, Friday, July 29, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1967 is required to have an approved hunter education card. The card is also required when purchasing any firearms hunting permit. Hunter education courses are for students 11 years of age and older.

“Hunter education courses are a great way to introduce prospective hunters or even refresh veteran hunters about shooting and hunting techniques, ethics, firearm safety and more,” said Dee Dee Dockins, a MDC outdoor skills specialist.

Dockins said the hunter education process underwent changes in 2013, making it more convenient for students to attend. The course consists of two parts; a knowledge portion and a skills session.

The knowledge portion focuses on hunting equipment, safety, and ethics, and can be completed in one of three different ways. Students can complete the section online, pick up a student manual at a MDC office, or register and attend for a four-hour instructor led classroom session.

The July 29 skills session is the second step in the process. These four-hour sessions are led by instructors with hands-on exercises designed to put the students’ knowledge into practice. After the skills session, students take a 35-question multiple choice exam.

Those who wish to attend the skills session must complete the first step of the process and register for the course at www.mdc.mo.gov. For more information, contact MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.

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MDC offers firearms safety class for youth hunters in Jefferson City

Register for the class by calling 573-526-5544.

Missouri Hunting Info from Family-Outdoors

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a free firearms safety class for youth hunters, ages 6 to 15. The class is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at MDC’s Runge Conservation Nature Center, located on HWY 179 approximately a quarter mile north of HWY 50 in Jefferson City. 

Instructors will teach young hunters the fundamentals of firearm safety. Although not a hunter-education course, this class can help youth hunters be safe during hunting season.  The course will cover tips on firearm safety, safe methods for carrying a firearm, and tree-stand safety. 

Registration is required by calling 573-526-5544.  Youth aged 6-10 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt. Learn more about hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov.

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• MDC to hold hunter education class in Hermitage (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

MDC to hold hunter education class in Hermitage

Hunter education is a legal requirement for firearms hunters in Missouri born on or after Jan. 1, 1967. Missouri's hunter education program consists of two parts, a knowledge and a skills portion. A hunter education skills course will be taught Oct. 2 at Christian Health Care of Hermitage.

MISSOURI DEER HUNTING

Oct. 2 program to feature skills portion of hunter education curriculum.

HERMITAGE, Mo. – Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) promotes safe, knowledgeable, ethical and responsible hunting through its hunter education program.

A hunter education skills course will be offered 6-10 p.m. Oct. 2 at Christian Health Care of Hermitage, located at U.S. Highway 54 and 1st street. Individuals attending this class must have first completed the knowledge portion of the hunter education curriculum.

MDC’s hunter education program consists of two parts. One part is a knowledge portion that can be completed on-line or in a classroom and the second component is a hands-on skills portion. In Missouri, hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 must complete an approved hunter education course and display a hunter education certificate card to buy a firearms hunting permit. You must be at least 11 years old to receive hunter education certification.

People can register for this class at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/64794. More information about this class can be obtained by contacting Hickory County Conservation Agent Tim Pratt at Tim.Pratt@mdc.mo.gov. Information about MDC’s hunter education program can also be found at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/3095

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Sign up early for MDC's hunter education certification

Required hunter education program teaches ethics, skills and safety

Kansas City, Mo. – Hunting seasons will approach quickly as summer wanes. Now is a good time to become hunter education certified through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) training to be prepared for autumn hunts. Missouri’s Hunter Education Course is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, and buys a firearms season hunting permit, or any person age 11 to 15 who hunts alone. The course teaches safety, skills and ethics.

   MDC provides several ways to become hunter education certified. The course is divided into a knowledge section and a skills session that includes an exam. Both the knowledge and skills portion must be completed to become certified.

   For the knowledge section, an online study program is available. Participants must complete all chapter reviews online to take the skills session. The cost for those who complete the course and pass the exam is $15. Participants can also obtain study guides for free at MDC offices or by ordering them online. They must present completed chapter reviews in the study guide to instructors at the skills session.   MDC also offers a free, four-hour classroom session for learning the hunter education requirements that includes lectures, videos and filling out chapter reviews.

   Missouri Hunter Education skills sessions are offered at varying dates at MDC offices and nature centers, as well as at conservation partner locations. In the Kansas City area,  MDC’s Lake City Shooting Range and Parma Woods Shooting Range are among the sites that offer skills sessions, which include hands-on safety demonstrations and exams. Several other sites also offer skills sessions including MDC offices in Sedalia and St. Joseph.

   Hunter education certification classes and skills sessions often fill up early. The skills sessions require advance registration. Some sessions in August are already full. But more sessions may be added in autumn months.

   MDC’s Hunter Education Course has a webpage that will lead to links to use the online study guide, to order printed study guides, to find class schedules, to find outdoor skills sessions, or to register for a session. Visit http://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-skills-training.

    Hunter education has reduced hunting accidents and deaths by more than 70 percent since it became mandatory in 1987. MDC recommends that all hunters become hunter-education certified. The program also provides training that can make participants more successful as hunters. They will learn about wildlife conservation and management.

   Missouri is a great place to hunt. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC offering Hunter Education skills session on MU campus

The hands-on skills session is a mandatory, second requirement to become hunter education certified in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo.—Planning on hunting this fall? Avoid the rush and sign-up to take your hunter education skills session now.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding three hunter education skills sessions from 8 a.m. to noon on the University of Missouri (MU)—Columbia campus in Room 111, Conservation Auditorium, Anheuser Busch Natural Resources Building on the following dates:

• May 31
• June 28
• July 19

The hands-on skills session is a mandatory, second requirement to become hunter education certified in Missouri. To register for one of these skills session, visit http://www.register-ed.com/programs/3.

“MDC revised the Hunter-Ed course in 2013 for student convenience and to emphasize hands-on training,” said MDC Outdoors Skills Specialist and Hunter-Ed instructor Brian Flowers. “New hunters who need to be Hunter-Ed certified should take the course early to avoid the fall rush.”

Students can take the first part as an online course, or with a printed manual, or by signing up for a four-hour classroom session.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and the MDC promotes safe, knowledgeable, ethical and responsible hunting through its Hunter Education program and training.  Hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, and who are 16 or older, must successfully complete an approved Hunter Education course to qualify to buy firearms hunting permits.

Flowers said the classes offered on the MU campus are not restricted to college students, but are being offered to encourage students to get hunter education certified.

In Missouri, any nonresident who is a registered student attending a public or private secondary, post-secondary, or vocational school and who lives in Missouri while attending the school is eligible to purchase a resident hunting permit. The permit must be purchased at a MDC office.

Hunter education students completing the course receive a temporary certificate so they can immediately start hunting while their Hunter Education Certification card is being processed.

MDC began providing Hunter Education in 1957 and has trained more than 1.1 million students. Since hunter education became mandatory in 1987, there has been a reduction of hunting incidents by more than 70 percent. Missouri is among the top five states in annual hunter education graduate numbers.

For more information on Hunter Education visit www.mdc.mo.gov/node/3095 or contact your local MDC office.