Now Is The Time For Hunter Education

PRATT ­– Fall hunting seasons are just around the corner. That also means school is about to start, holidays are on the way, and finding free time isn’t going to be easy. If signing up for a Kansas Hunter Education course is on your to-do list, now is the time to make it happen.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is currently offering Hunter Education classes throughout the state, providing a variety of class times, formats, and locations to meet nearly any schedule. To view a current list of upcoming classes, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting” and then “Hunter Education.”

Kansas law states that anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must be certified by an approved course in hunter education before they can hunt in Kansas, except that anyone 15 or younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. Students must be 11 or older to be certified.

Subjects covered include hunter responsibility, ethics, fair chase, history of firearms, firearms basics, ammunition, basic gun safety, field safety, bowhunting, conservation and wildlife management, wildlife of Kansas, outdoor emergencies, Kansas hunting regulations and boating safety for hunters.

Courses are offered in one of two formats: traditional and Internet-assisted. Traditional hunter education courses are 10 hours long, typically in a classroom setting, and are usually held over the course of two to three days. Internet-assisted courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals with busy schedules by providing online classwork that can be done at home. After the Internet work is completed, students must attend a field day, which often includes live-fire, trail-walk and safe gun handing exercises before final testing and certification. Students must register for an Internet-assisted course before completing the online portion.

Classes fill up quickly and hunting season will be here before you know it. Invest time in a class now, so you can be ready to enjoy opening day.

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KANSAS HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS RECOGNIZED FOR DEDICATION

Tim Boxberger, 2014 Instructor of the Year, has been a volunteer instructor for 20-plus years

PRATT – They spend countless hours teaching their students basic firearm safety, the importance of conserving and managing our state’s natural resources, and what it means to be

an ethical hunter. Kansas Hunter Education Program volunteer instructors attempt to teach young and new hunters everything they should learn before hitting the field. They don’t do it for the money – they aren’t paid. They don’t do it because they have to – no one is making them. They do it because it’s what they love. Volunteer Hunter Education Program instructors are a vital component in creating responsible hunters and protecting our hunting heritage in Kansas, and it’s only fitting that contributions such as these be recognized.

One such instructor, Tim Boxberger, has made the aforementioned tasks more than a priority in his career as a volunteer instructor – he has made them a lifelong passion. His dedication for teaching and serving 20-plus years as a volunteer instructor convinced eight fellow instructors to nominate Boxberger for the Kansas Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Award.

“As if teaching many hunter ed classes in the spring and fall are not enough, Tim is also instrumental in Pheasants Forever field days, youth hunts, and NRA youth outdoor days,” his nomination letter reads. “Tim shows remarkable dedication to the program and (he) has proven many times he is not afraid to go above and beyond.”

Boxberger will receive a certificate of appreciation and a Savage .17 HMR bolt-action rifle in snow camouflage as tokens of appreciation for his dedication. He resides in Great Bend with his wife, Laura.

Other instructors recognized for their exemplary involvement, performance, and continuing dedication to the program include:

-Paul Babcock, Region 1 Instructor of the Year

-Dennis Smith, Region 2 Instructor of the Year

-Tracy Gutierrez, Region 3 Instructor of the Year

-Dave Perkins, Region 4 Instructor of the Year

-Don Lile, Region 5 Instructor of the Year

Each regional winner will receive a certificate and a .223 CZ 527 varmint rifle, complete with a scope.

For more information on the Hunter Education program and its volunteer instructors, contact program coordinator, Kent Barrett, atkent.barrett@ksoutdoors.com.

Related articles

• Kansas Hunter Education Instructor Receives Distinguished Award (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Kansas NRA YOUTH HUNTER EDUCATION CHALLENGE MAY 5 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife and Parks Posts Hunter Education Class Schedule Online (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Act now to avoid hunter education rush (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)