Summit County Citizens Voice

A bull elk in Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE/MICHAEL SERAPHIN.

The big game season is almost here

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Upcoming hunter education classes in Grand Junction will cover everything from outdoor survival to an introduction on primitive hunting methods, including archery and black powder firearms, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said, reminding Coloradans that the big game season is just around the corner.

“Hunter education is especially important for anyone anticipating their first hunt, but this class offers many benefits even for people who don’t hunt,” said regional manager Ron Velarde. “The knowledge gained from these classes is very useful for hikers, bikers, campers, anglers or anyone who enjoys the outdoors.”

By Colorado statute, anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 must successfully complete an approved hunter education course before they apply for a Colorado hunting license or preference point.

The basic purpose of a hunter education course is to teach safe, responsible firearm handling in the field, in the vehicle and in the home after hunting. Through lectures, hands-on activities and videos, students learn about firearms and ammunition, firearm safety, shooting fundamentals and the legal responsibilities of hunting and shooting.

While hunter education courses encourage safe hunting, they also help novice hunters be more successful in their hunts. With an emphasis on ethical hunting behavior, subjects include hunter responsibility, wildlife identification and management, game care, outdoor survival as well as other important outdoor and hunting related topics.

At the conclusion of the course, hunter education cards are awarded to students who have attended all classes and passed the final exam, including the required, .22 rifle live-fire exam.

“The class is fun and educational and students range from young boys and girls, men and women of all ages, and even older folks just getting into the sport,” said class instructor, and assistant regional manager Dean Riggs. “Although designed for people just getting into hunting, we have had many long-time hunters take the class as a refresher, which is a very good idea if it’s been a while since you took the course.”

Scheduled monthly, students have a choice of weekend classes, evening classes from Monday through Friday, or internet self-study courses.

For more information about classes in the Grand Junction area, call 970.255.6130, or please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterEducation/Pages/HuntEd.aspx

Filed under: Colorado Tagged: | Colorado, Colorado hunting, Colorado parks and wildlife, deer hunting, elk hunting, hunter education classes, Hunting license, Summit County News