Why Hunter Education?

The first mandated hunter education program began in New York in 1949 to reduce hunting incidents. As hunter education programs spread across the country, safety coordinators formed what is now the International Hunter Education Association to create a core curriculum, which is the basis for this course.

Hunter education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and hunting safety. Today, hunter education programs are about more than safety. They have been expanded to produce knowledgeable, responsible, and involved hunters—hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and they provide a refresher for veteran hunters.

Ultimately, the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the hunting tradition.

According to the Missouri Wildlife Code (3 CSR 10-5.215), "Any person born on or after January 1, 1967, shall obtain and display an approved hunter education certificate card prior to purchase of any firearm hunting permit, except as exempted in 3 CSR 10-5.205."

Hunter Education in Missouri

In 1957, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved a voluntary program for Missourians. This program continued quite successfully for 30 years, with approximately 500,000 people taking the training.

The old Hunter Safety courses were very short, taking about four hours to cover strictly guns and safe gun handling. However, it became evident that the course needed to be more extensive because hunters were continuing to have incidents and because the activities of a few hunters were causing non-hunters and landowners to become upset with all hunters.

As newer ideas about hunter responsibilities, hunting ethics, and the hunter's role in conservation were added, the course became longer and more educational. Many more states and most Canadian provinces made it mandatory for hunters to pass such a course before they could purchase hunting permits.

In 1987, the Missouri Conservation Commission, which has become more and more concerned with the numbers of hunting incidents in Missouri, passed a regulation requiring that anyone born on or after January 1, 1967, take a Hunter Education course and pass the test before they could purchase any type of firearm hunting permit.

In 1993, a new regulation went into effect that set a minimum age limit of 11 years for anyone to become certified in Missouri's Hunter Education program.

Missouri's Hunter Education course covers many things: what firearms are and how they work, how to handle them safely, hunting traditions, ethics, what conservation is and our human role in it, a hunter's responsibilities, and safe gun handling.

The reason for such a broad spectrum of topics is to meet the basic goals of the course, which are to develop students who are:

• Safe with firearms in the field and at home
• Respectful of other people and property
• Law-abiding
• Aware of hunting as a resource management tool

These are goals which can affect our lives. These are goals which can and should remain with us throughout our lives.

Missouri Hunter Education Courses have certified over 1,000,000 hunters since 1957.

Responsibility, Safety Skills, Knowledge, and Involvement

Hunter education strives to instill responsibility, improve skills and knowledge, and encourage the involvement of beginner and veteran hunters. Responsible, ethical behavior and personal involvement are both essential to the survival of hunting.

Responsibility

A knowledgeable and skillful student of hunting will never be a true hunter unless he or she also behaves responsibly. Responsible behavior includes courtesy, respect of others and of wildlife, involvement, and attitude. Responsible hunters do not poach or act carelessly. Responsible hunters obey hunting laws, hunt fairly, practice safety rules, and wait for a clean kill before shooting. Your attitude and how other people see you will determine hunting's future.

Safety Skills

Hunting-related safety skills are gained through hands-on training and practice. It is most valuable to learn these skills from an experienced hunter.

Knowledge

Knowledge is learning and understanding the basics of safe gun handling and hunting. Before being trained in the skill of firearm shooting, you should know how the firearm operates and how to handle it safely.

Involvement

Part of the process of becoming a true, responsible sportsman is becoming involved in efforts to make hunting a respected sport. That includes teaching others, working with landowners, and cooperating with Conservation Agents. It also includes joining conservation organizations, which will help preserve habitat and promote wildlife management.

As a reminder of one's responsibility—you can always ASK: "How are my Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge?"

International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)

The organization's mission is to continue the heritage of hunting worldwide by developing safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters. Since its inception, IHEA has endeavored to:

• Serve as the primary resource for information on hunter education.
• Promote hunter education by providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences.
• Promote hunter education by fostering cooperative efforts among government agencies, organized groups, and industry.
• Uphold the image of hunting as a legitimate tool of wildlife management and as a recreational activity throughout North America.
• Promote programs which prevent hunting incidents.
• Cultivate honesty, self-discipline, self-reliance, responsible behavior, and good citizenship among hunters.
• Strive for constant improvement in hunter education programs.
• Fully involve volunteers and other associate members in all affairs of the International Hunter Education Association.