INTRODUCTION TO HUNTING AND HUNTER EDUCATION

            Welcome to the Wyoming Hunter Education Program.  You are about to join the millions of people throughout the country who enjoy the tradition of hunting, but above all, respect and work to conserve wild animals and wild places.

            Hunting has always been a part of human life.  For most of their history, humans depended on hunting for their survival.  No other form of human activity has a longer tradition.  For this tradition to continue will require safe, responsible, knowledgeable hunters who are dedicated to keeping sufficient habitats for wild animal populations.

            The first hunter safety courses were designed over 50 years ago with the main purpose of reducing hunting accidents.  All states now have hunter education courses, with over 25 million graduates since the programs were started.  A decrease in hunting accidents of well over 50% shows how effective these programs have been.  Hunting is statistically safer than almost all other forms of recreation.

            While the major purpose of hunter education programs is still the prevention of hunting and firearm related accidents, more and more emphasis is being placed on improving knowledge about the heritage of hunting.  The importance of the young hunter developing a sense of ethics and responsibility is stressed.  And both the first time and veteran hunter are encouraged to become involved in all matters related to hunting, wildlife, and the environment.  Responsible, ethical behavior by hunters, and personal involvement in the community will be essential to the future of wildlife and the survival of hunting.

            Hunter education courses in Wyoming are sponsored by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, and by similar wildlife management agencies in other states.  The major sources of funding for these agencies are from sales of hunting and fishing licenses and from federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment.

            The cost of hunter education courses would still be prohibitive if professional instructors had to be hired.  In Wyoming, there are over 450 volunteer instructors, training over 5,000 hunter education graduates each year.  These volunteers donate their time, ability, and effort to share their knowledge and experience with you and others like you.  Without the efforts of these volunteers the program in hunter education would not be affordable or possible.

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Traditional vs. Internet
Which is best for you?

            The Internet-based hunter education course was developed for the more mature student who may have scheduling problems that make getting into a traditional class difficult or impossible. Due to the fact that completion of the course is independent, without guidance from an experienced instructor, younger students may have difficulty in successfully completing the coursework. Students with little or no gun handling experience may struggle with the field test. In such cases, registering for a traditional course is recommended.  For information on registering for a traditional course, refer to our hunter education course schedule.

If you believe the Internet course is right for you, follow the coursework instructions listed here.

1.                  Read through Wyoming specific course materials: Laws and Regulations; Bear information; Lion information; Section 23 Wildlife Classification; and Wyoming's wildlife management.  At the end of each section will be a quiz.  Complete all quizzes with a required score of 100% (take the quiz as many times as necessary to score 100%).  Print all completed quizzes and bring them with you to a testing site.

2.                  Go to http://www.ihea.com and click on the IHEA Internet Introduction to Hunter Education to work through the course.  Complete and print all quizzes at the end of each chapter.  All quizzes must show a score of 100% as the course directs you back in the course to obtain the correct information.

3.                  Bring all printed and completed quizzes to a field test site, where you will be given a 25 question entry quiz.  The entry score must be a minimum of 90% to be allowed to continue with the field day and testing.  The field day will consist of ethics training, a final 100 question written exam and a hands-on gun handling field test.  Check the field day schedule for dates and more information.  Call the location phone number to register - registration must take place no later than 1 week prior to the test date.  A $5 fee will be charged at the day of the field course.

Field day checklist-Be sure you have:

•       Completed the Wyoming specific course work and printed the four quizzes showing scores of 100%.
  
• Completed all course work located on the IHEA website, printed the fourteen quizzes showing scores of 100%
  
•  Called to register at one of the locations for a field test.  Registration must take place no later than 1 week prior to the test date.
  
• Bring your $5 course fee to the field day.