Hunting class to promote ethics, outdoor safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  Airmen and their families interested in obtaining a hunting license will soon have a chance to apply on Barksdale.

The 10-hour Louisiana Hunter Education classroom course will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 28 and 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 30, covering orientation, environmental hazards and situations, hunter ethics and firearm safety.

"The course teaches you gun and hunting safety," said Paul Williamson, hunter education course instructor. "The course is designed for everyone who hasn't had a hunter education class. Primarily, the class is set up for the young hunter, but any age group can attend."

The free class, managed and certified by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, is open to applicants 10 years old or older. Applicants who successfully complete the course will receive a Louisiana Hunter Education Certification card, recognized by all states requiring certified hunters.

According to the La. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website, participants in the course will also learn hunting ethics and responsibility, wildlife management and conservation and personal outdoor safety. Students will also be required to participate in a live fire exercise and successfully complete a written exam.

"Your certification in this course is valid in all 50 states," Williamson said. "Both instructors are certified and have been doing this course for eight years now."

The class, offered twice a year, has 75 total seats available and will also be offered the first week of October.

"There's nothing wrong with taking the class if you're not a hunter," Williamson said. "It's familiarization, so if you ever decide you do want to become a hunter, you've already got that block filled. We want to make sure you don't hurt yourself, others, and to keep someone from shooting something that isn't supposed to be shot."

The course also includes archery, tree stand safety, compass reading, instruction on how to prevent dangerous situations in the elements as well as what to do once you're in an unsafe situation, he added.

The course will be held in the Natural Resource building on Range Road. For more information, contact Outdoor Recreation at 456-3426.