"For Hunters by Hunters"

MAKING SAFETY THE TOP PRIORITY FOR THE NEW AND VETERAN HUNTERS - January 2008

Roger Gillingwater, Valley Waterfowl Vice President

It's obvious that we love the outdoors and the traditions of hunting. The experiences that we have to keep get us going back into the field year after year. This is why we pass on the tradition of hunting to our family and friends. As a person enters into the hunting world they have to pass a hunter safety course before they can receive a hunting license. Some people think the class is a waste of time and don't see the need for the certificate. If anyone looks into the history of hunting they will find that the number of accidents while hunting has dramatically decreased since the hunter safety program has been introduced.

The people we usually hunt with are our family and friends, people we have a personal relationship with. For this reason I would hope that we all would take more care and have a successful outing while hunting with those we love.

Most hunting accidents happen at a distance of less than 30 feet and since we are duck hunters any accident in the blind with a shotgun is never a good situation. When I teach my class I only have 10 hours to get through almost 100 pages of material and get people ready for a state mandated test. The students must also show that they can handle a gun safely before they get the final sign off. I can only cover the minimal basics with the time allowed. So the real safety lessons are the responsibility of us who take out new hunters.

As a father, I have hunts where it is “serious daddy hunting” and then I have hunts where my three sons get to go out and tag along. The hunts with my boys usually are short bluebird days and not as successful as my serious hunts when the weather is nasty. My nine year old got his license last year because he attended the class and passed the test. But when he gets to do some hunting I focus all my attention on him and what he's doing. He's not big enough to hunt without assistance and I recognize that.

We are all at different stages of hunting expertise, but accidents happen at every level and age. Sometimes that 12 or 14 year old kid that has been getting drilled on safety is much better than the 40 or 50 year old that has become complacent and sloppy with safety.

My last class had students from 9 to 60-plus years old.  If you haven't been in a class for 20-30 years you are more than welcome to sit in on a class and see if you remember as much as you think you do. I pick up something new every time I teach a class and nobody can say that it's a waste of time. If anyone has the desire to teach hunter safety I highly encourage you to contact me. I can start you out with teaching a chapter from the manual and if you're really into it you can become an instructor by passing the test and a background check through Department of Fish and Game. It's a great to see the smiles on the faces as people pass and receive their certificates. Remember to take care of yourself and those around you when hunting. Pass on the tradition of hunting to those you love and enjoy spending time with them in the outdoors.