The course is open to the public, and those successfully completing the course will receive their Oklahoma Hunter Education Student Card. This Oklahoma course is accepted and honored in all 50 states, according to the course instructors.
Oklahoma has new hunter education requirements. Many licenses and permits can now be sold with an apprentice designation, which allows individuals without hunter education certification to hunt under certain conditions.
Exemptions include the following: Being 36 years old or older, honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or a member of the National Guard.
The course instructors said anyone between the ages of 16 and 35 without hunter education will be designated as an apprentice, and can only hunt when accompanied by a licensed hunter who is 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education.
Anyone under the age of 16 must have a hunter education certificate to hunt or buy any big game license, such as for deer, antelope, or elk. Anyone under 16 years old must either have a hunter education certificate or be accompanied if they want to hunt small game.
The new Hunter Education Requirements are outlined on page six of the 2007-8 Oklahoma Hunting Guide, available at local license dealers.
Topics to be covered in the course will include rifle, shotgun, and handgun safety/handling/storage/cleaning, muzzleloading, bowhunting, Oklahoma laws and regulations, hunter responsibilities and survival and wilderness first aid.
Students are asked to bring a pencil, and have their name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number for the class. Hunter safety manuals will be provided.
There is no charge for the course, but concessions will be available, so each child will need to bring money if they want to buy snacks and drinks during the breaks.
The instructors remind everyone that the course will last for eight hours. A test will be given at the end of the class. No students will be permitted to take the test early for any reason so those attending should not ask. If a child has any prior engagements or sporting events that may interfere with the course, those signing up need to take that into consideration before attending the course.
For more information about the course, call Rocky's Corner Inc. at (918) 427-6068 or call the Hunter Education Office in Oklahoma City at (405) 522-4572.
