Environment DEC
From the November 2009 issue
Banner Year for Sportsman Education Classes
More than 25,000 people took part in classes this year.
DEC's Sportsman Education classes are more popular than ever, reaching about 25,000 people across New York State this year. In DEC's Region 5 (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties) alone, 225 volunteer instructors taught more than 100 classes this year, training more than 3,000 enrollees. Region 5 has 15 new certified instructors, with 30 apprentices continuing to work toward their certification and 40 new volunteers applying to become instructors.
All first-time hunters, bow hunters and trappers must pass one or more Sportsman Education courses before they can obtain a hunting or trapping license in New York State. In addition, DEC Environmental Education camps offer hunter education classes and bow hunter education classes. Participants in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman fall workshop held in Lake George also had the opportunity to take hunter education.
Students receive hands-on instruction in skills, equipment, responsibilities and ethics.
These courses help to develop skills and attitudes that result in better hunters. Participants learn to respect people, wildlife, nature and public and private property; practice safe and ethical behavior; appreciate humans as part of nature; support conservation efforts, and serve as examples for responsible hunting and trapping.
An improvement to the program has been an increase in home-study classes. The classes in both gun and bow hunting were designed to better reach military personnel on leave and students active in after-school programs. Students complete part of the class online or in a workbook prior to receiving hands-on instruction in skills, equipment, responsibilities and ethics. This allows instructors to educate students in less time, while still ensuring their complete education.
If you are interested in signing up for a free Sportsman Education course, please see the list of the classes.
