WDFW encourages hunter education to prepare for fall hunting, National Hunting and Fishing Day

While major hunting seasons are closed in summer, hunter education courses continue to run year-round throughout the state.

Now is the time to enroll in hunter education to avoid the autumn rush, said David Whipple, hunter education division manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"As fall hunting seasons draw near, seats in these courses fill quickly," Whipple said. "Hunters who complete the course this summer will be ready to take to the field in the fall."

All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license.

To find a course and learn about hunter education requirements, new hunters should visit the WDFW hunter education webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/basic.php.

WDFW offers both traditional and online options to complete the hunter education requirement.

The advantages of the traditional classroom experience include direct person-to-person instruction from certified volunteer instructors, said Whipple.

The online course offers the same content, but on the student's schedule, Whipple said. Those who take the online course are required to complete an in-person field skills evaluation led by certified instructors, added Whipple.

WDFW will be offering a field skills evaluation course during its celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Camp Pigott, 24225 Woods Creek Road, Snohomish. Pre-registration at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/basic.php is required.

The National Hunting and Fishing Day event will also feature activities for hunters, anglers and outdoorspeople, including:

Opportunities for youth to shoot bows, air rifles and firearms under close supervision from instructors.

Door prize drawings and lunch for the first 500 youth attendees and accompanying adults.

Fishing, hunting, and conservation oriented activities, displays and information.

"The National Hunting and Fishing Day event is a great way to introduce youth and newcomers to target shooting, hunting, and angling," said Whipple. "It's also an opportunity to recognize that hunters and anglers are among the most active supporters of fish and wildlife management and conservation."

The free National Hunting and Fishing Day event is hosted by WDFW's Hunter Education Division and the Volunteer Program. It is sponsored by WDFW, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, the Washington Hunter Education Instructor Association, hunter education instructors, Master Hunters, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Safari Club International (NW Chapter), Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site, Trout Unlimited (Monroe Chapter), Washington Friends of the NRA, Washington Grand Lodge Medical Team, Washington Ornamental Game Bird Breeders, Puget Sound Knappers, Chief Seattle Council BSA Shooting Sports Committee and Camp Pigott, Volterra Restaurants (Ballard and Kirkland), and Pacific Food Importers.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate the conservation successes of hunters and anglers.