Now is the time to start planning for hunter education

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is urging the public to register for hunter education as big game applications open. Anyone planning to hunt this year is encouraged to sign up early, as classes are offered statewide and can fill quickly. Registration information is available through the Game and Fish hunter education website.

“If you’re a new hunter, spring is a good time to take a hunter education course,” Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter education coordinator Katie Simpson said. “The earlier you sign up, the better. Classes fill quickly and you do not want to miss your opportunity to finish a course before it’s too late.” 

For busy folks, Game and Fish have developed a blended course option. Blended courses are good for those who can’t make a regular course or who want to work at their own pace. Blended courses require students to complete an online course and then attend a 4-6 hour, in-person field day to earn their hunter education certification. 

“Hunter education strives to promote safe and ethical hunting while teaching skills that will prevent hunting and firearm-related accidents,” Simpson said. “New hunters also will learn about the tradition of ethical hunting and their role in conservation.”

Game and Fish is seeking qualified volunteers to teach hunter education courses and help ensure new hunters have a thorough understanding of safety, ethics and conservation. Those who are interested need to fill out an instructor application packet and complete a federal criminal background check prior to attending a new instructor workshop. This year, training workshops for new volunteer instructors will be:

Cheyenne: Feb. 27–28

Casper: March 20–21

Green River: April 3–4

Sheridan: April 17–18

Pinedale: April 17–18

Riverton: June 19–20

Hunter education is offered in 20 schools statewide, giving students the opportunity to safely explore the outdoors. The program teaches ethical hunting practices, firearm safety, wildlife management and resource conservation. Teachers who become certified as hunter education instructors can incorporate the curriculum into their classrooms and receive a teaching endorsement through the Wyoming Professional Standards Teaching Board. A training workshop for teachers interested in certification will be held June 22–24 at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois.

Hunters do not need a hunter education card to apply for hunting licenses in Wyoming, but they are legally required to carry it while in the field. Hunter education is required for all Wyoming hunters born after Jan. 1, 1966, with exemptions for military and law enforcement.

To register for a class, visit the Hunter Education website.