Get the family ready for hunting with a Hunter Education Course provided through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).

        Ron Fritz, state hunter education coordinator for the IDFG, says hunting is becoming more of a family affair. “We are getting more women and young females in our courses; it is not just a guy thing.”

        Idaho hunters born after January 1, 1975 are required to take the hunter safety class prior to purchasing a hunting license, unless they previously held a valid license from another state. Hunting accident rates have decreased since the mandatory hunters education law passed in 1979.

        There are three ways to take the Hunter Education Course. All require a field day. Youth under 14 years of age, or those new to hunting, may prefer the instructor-led classroom course. For the motivated learner, minimum age 10 and above, the online course is provided 24/7. A self-paced workbook course is a third option.

        Youth can take the course at age nine, though hunters must be ten years old to purchase a youth hunting license. An adult must hunt with the youth until they are 12 years old.

        Parents are welcome to attend with their child at no extra charge, though Fritz says he encourages the parents to sign up for the test at the end and pay the small fee. Then they are certified in case they want to hunt in a state requiring a hunter safety class.

        A Bowhunter Education Course is required for all ages for an archery-only hunting permit. Course options include the instructor-led classroom with a field day and the internet course and field day. IDFG encourages students to take a Hunter Education Course before taking a Bowhunter Education Course.

        During the Hunter Education class, students learn hunter ethics, wildlife management, and conservation, firearm or bow safety and handling, survival, and regulations. Sign up online or at a Fish and Game office. Course fees vary depending on the type of class chosen, and range from $8 to $33.

        Each year in Idaho about 7,000 students graduate from Hunter Education Courses and 2,000 from Bowhunter Education Courses. Of the students attending the Hunter Education classes, approximately 60–65 percent are 14 years or younger.

        Volunteer certified instructors conduct the lessons. “They like to teach, have a wealth of hunting information and knowledge, and have hunted for years and years,” says Fritz.

        Hunting is allowed on federal lands including the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and National Wildlife Refuges. However, their visitor centers and campgrounds have designated areas where hunting is not permitted. Some Idaho state parks allow hunting in their boundaries and only within certain areas of the park.  

        Fritz says the most popular animals hunted by youth are upland game, including the pheasants and waterfowl allowed by the youth license.

        “We recommend anyone going afield look at the Idaho Hunt Planner, located on the Fish and Game web page,” says Fritz. It is a great information resource to help plan a hunting trip. Look for specific hunting units; their hunting seasons vary by species.

        Remember to protect yourself while hunting by making you, your family members, and your hunting dogs visible. Wear bright colors or hunter orange clothing or vests so other hunters see you and do not mistake you for an animal. In Idaho, it is not mandatory for hunters to wear hunter orange; however, most states require it. “We do require it in Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Management areas,” says Ron.

        In addition to the Hunter Education Courses, youth can learn international-style target archery through the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) at participating schools. During the 2009–2010 school year, about 23 schools in Idaho held archery classes, including schools in Eagle, Nampa, and Parma. Studies completed in conjunction with the national program showed that students’ attendance, motivation, and academic performance improved.

        Students who may not excel in traditional sports can enhance their self-esteem by participating in a target archery program demanding discipline, steadiness, concentration, focus, and accuracy. In addition, it is an enjoyable lifetime sport.

        The Idaho Department of Fish and Game serves as the coordinating agency for the NASP and NASP Basic Archery Instructor Training in Idaho. Participating schools collaborate with the Idaho State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

        The program uses a safe archery range in an indoor setting. Students in grades 4–12 learn how to use the equipment for Olympic-style shooting. Archers use universal draw lengths as opposed to compound bows used by hunters. They shoot at 80 centimeter standup targets placed in front of a 10-foot by 20-foot safety curtain. Classes are typically conducted as a two-week unit, allowing time for students to increase their archery skills and confidence. Teachers interested in the instructor training class should contact Ron Fritz, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, State Coordinator for the National Archery in the Schools Program at 287-2884.

Natalie Bartley is the Boise-based author of the newly released Best Easy Day Hikes Boise guidebook and the Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest guidebook, available at outdoor retail shops and bookstores.