I am working on an 8 hour online hunter education program and pay $25 for the privilege. I have been hunting my whole life, and served in the US Army in a combat MOS, yet I have to take the hunter ed.
The rub is that I missed the date by 6 months not to need hunters education, while my wife is just before the date and does not need to take it. She however has never hunted and has limited experience with firearms.
I don't doubt that it is beneficial that new hunters take hunters ed, but if you have held a hunting license in multiple states and hunted for several decades, not to mention being entrusted with fully automatic weapons, grenades, explosives, etc, then it would seem like you should be able to opt out of hunters ed.
All the while if you are a year older then me and have never even touched a gun, you get to buy a license without hunter ed. How does that make sense.
Ok, rant over. :D
Good point.
The only explanation you are likely to get is that there is a need for a "system" in order to deal with the number of people that want to hunt... and with any system there will be exceptions, such as yourself.
A system that identifies exceptions would be difficult to track and enforce.
Hope you feel better getting that off your chest.
ENJOY your well earned privilege to hunt!!!
I don't know how it works in MN, but our conservation club here in MI offers 3 classes each year. They are completely free of charge and we've been giving free club memberships to those who pass with 100%.
Well, they had to make a rule, and you just happened to be caught up in it. I know several folks who have passed the class that I would not spend 10 minutes in the woods around.
It's a part of the political game.
Bisch
That is too bad. In my state your military status would allow you to just buy a license.
they have to draw the line somewhere--who knows you might learn something-its not combat--thanks for serving!
No charge here in NY for our Bowhunter Ed classes or Rifle classes. I think all vets should be free of taking the classes and just issued their licenses.
we had a guy that was a marine who's son was in our class. He said that he didn't known what we could teach him that he already had. Well, at the end of the class he came up to us instructors and said that he learned things, and he was glad that his son took the class. Its not only about shooting but ethics, safety, and being responsible.
There is a line, a rule. They picked a date and I don't know how or why, but that date it is.
The fact that hunter education is likely (very likely) to be the main reason that Wisconsin has had several of the safest seasons EVER recently including at least one with no accidental shootings is amazing.
Many of those taking the course have had prior or current military or police activity. Prior to training, many folks that had accidents were smart folks, including ex military folks, who never had their eyes opened up regarding what could go wrong and some very simple ways to keep it from happening.
Take it, learn what you can, and let the others learn. Its part of the privilege of hunting in the modern age. I for one don't think anybody should be exempt from the rule. Do they teach tree stand safety in the military ?
ChuckC
well said Chuck!
I felt the same way....but as each of my three sons came of age, I joined them for the weekend class. So I ended going three times with my boys just to be there. I thought I knew it all but will say that I learned something I didn't know at each event. It was so positive, we later attended a 1 day bowhunting only optional hunter Ed class that was offered in PA.