IDFG seeks local instructors for Hunter Education

PINEHURST — Maybe it was the topic, maybe it’s the instructor.

Either way, the upcoming Hunter Education course took less than three hours to fill after it was posted.

“Within just a few hours of our local Sheriff’s Office advertising this course, the class was entirely full,” said Hunter Education instructor and Shoshone County Prosecutor Benjamin Allen. “I think this demonstrates the desire of parents to see their children receive Hunter Education instruction in a traditional classroom setting, while also bringing to light the demand that exists for these types of courses which are becoming more and more rare.”

This class is essential as individuals born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must complete a Hunter Education course to purchase a hunting license if they have yet to hold a valid license in another state.

“Educating our youth on concepts such as conservation, game management, ethics and firearms safety is vital to foster future generations of responsible stewards of both our resources of constitutional rights,” Allen said.

Allen is certified in both Hunter Education and Bowhunter’s Education, so the class he will teach is referred to as a "combination class," meaning that students completing the course receive their credentials for both topics.

“At young ages, children are often moldable and receptive to instruction on topics they may not be familiar with,” Allen said. “As such, we often find that children go home at the end of a course and can take the information they received to facilitate healthy discussions with their parents or guardians about topics in the home such as responsible storage of firearms or resource management and conservation.”

The class is open to the public, but the course help in Pinehurst will also be held in collaboration with the Pinehurst After School Program (PASS) with leader Deanne Fitzgerald.

“Because the class accommodates ages down to 9 years old, the class moves at a fairly slow pace,” Allen said. “However, I encourage parents who are interested in attending alongside their children, even if they have taken a Hunter Education course before, as it can serve as a good refresher on responsible practices which their children will likely look to them to demonstrate in the field.”

Allen obtained his instructor certification as a college student and has taught Hunter Education courses in the communities he has resided in ever since.

“Our youth need to see adults in all professionals and walks of life giving back to their community and embracing the role each of us can play in shaping the future of our next generation,” he said.

Allen plans to continue advocating for in-person Hunter Education courses here in the Silver Valley, but that also largely depends on the interest of others willing to step in and volunteer their time to this cause.

“Without volunteer instructors, in-person courses do not exist, which is a reason many states are continuing the trend of moving toward online-based curriculums for Hunter Education,” Allen said.

To teach Hunter Education, you need to be a certified instructor, and instructors can specialize as hunting, bowhunting and trapping specialists. To apply to teach Hunter Education, you must be 18 years or older and be knowledgeable about sporting arms, wildlife and hunting. After the application is submitted, you will be scheduled for fingerprinting and a background check conducted by the State Department of Law Enforcement. The next phase is orientation and training, which includes observing and assisting a veteran instructor.

For more information on becoming a certified instructor in Shoshone County, visit idfg.idaho.gov and go to the Education tab, or contact the Panhandle Regional office at 208-769-1414.