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Since 1973, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has offered hunter education to anyone getting started on their hunting journey. Hunter education became mandatory in Alabama in 1993 for anyone born on or after August 1, 1977. The hunter education courses offered by ADCNR are designed for those with little to no hunting experience and emphasize hunter safety, hunting ethics and the important link between hunting and wildlife conservation.
Alabama offers a variety of convenient online options for completing the hunter education requirement, but attending a traditional in-person class taught by an experienced hunter education instructor is a great option for anyone looking for a more hands-on learning experience. Registration is currently open for this fall’s in-person hunter education classes.
“The online courses are great options and provide you with all the basic hunter safety information you’ll need to get started hunting,” said Michael Bloxom, Hunter Education Coordinator with ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division. “For anyone who prefers a more hands-on learning experience, I recommend they attend a traditional hunter education class so they can ask questions and interact with the instructors as they learn firearm and hunter safety, the ethics of hunting and how hunting supports the state’s conservation efforts.”
In Alabama, anyone born on or after August 1, 1977, must complete an approved hunter education program before purchasing a license. The Alabama Wildlife Heritage Act of 2007 provides a mentor provision for hunter education. Hunting license buyers have the option to hunt under the "supervision required" status in lieu of passing the hunter education course. However, successful completion of an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all non-supervised hunting license buyers. Approved hunter education courses completed in other states are accepted in Alabama. For more information about license requirements, visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting.
Katie Burks teaching firearm safety during an ADCNR hunter education course
Katie Burks’ father first took her hunting when she was 6 years old. She was hunting from a tree stand by the time she was 12. Today, WFF Conservation Enforcement Officer Burks is one of ADCNR’s most active hunter education instructors. She agrees that for some people the traditional in-person class is the way to go.
“Many learn best by engaging in a physical manner,” Officer Burks said. “In-person classes give you the opportunity to be physically involved. When I teach my hunter education classes, I strive to implement a shooting activity component, if the class environment allows. Typically, this consists of archery or shotgun and pellet-rifle shooting. The students thoroughly enjoy participating in these hands-on activities, while learning how to effectively do them in a safe manner.”
Firearm safety and hunter safety aren’t the only topics covered during the in-person classes. Some people may be surprised that the courses cover information that might also be interesting to non-hunters and those who aren’t required to take a hunter education course. Additional topics covered include wildlife management and wilderness survival.
Officer Burks says anyone with an interest in Alabama’s conservation efforts should consider attending a hunter education course.
“Even if you are not required to complete the hunter education requirement, I would still encourage you to attend due to the vast amount of knowledge taught during the course,” she said. “One of the best aspects of attending the traditional in-person classes is that they are taught by different instructors. Some instructors are officers with the Department and others are volunteers who love sharing their knowledge and experience with the students. Each instructor brings a different perspective and their own hunting experiences to the classroom, which is a benefit for the students.”
Sam Hansen, a volunteer hunter education instructor with ADCNR
Sam Hansen has been a volunteer hunter education instructor for ADCNR for the past seven years. Hansen started hunting when he was 13. He and a friend would hunt and camp on Ruffner Mountain near Birmingham. He’s been hunting the woods in Alabama since.
“The most important benefit to attending a traditional class versus an online class is the student being face to face with an instructor,” he said. “This enables the student to have their questions answered as well as correcting any misunderstandings they may have in the course material.”
Tree stand safety is one of the topics that ADCNR’s 2022 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year stresses during his classes.
“Tree stand accidents have been reported by national and state agencies for the past several years,” he said. “UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham) once published a study based on a seven-year period that documented thousands of tree stand accidents across the United States. Although these accidents are decreasing there are still too many each year.”
Hunting-related accidents have steadily declined in Alabama thanks, in part, to the efforts of hunter education instructors. During the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 hunting seasons there were no hunting related fatalities and accidents were at historic lows. Last year there were only 13 hunting-related accidents in the state. Unfortunately, two were fatal. For contrast, there were 19 hunting-related fatalities in Alabama in 1973. According to the numbers, it’s easy to see that hunter education saves lives.
“I would highly recommend attending a class to anyone interested in hunting, regardless of their age and level of hunting experience,” Hansen said. “Sharing my passion for hunting and interacting with new and veteran hunters is the most rewarding part of being a hunter education instructor.”
Traditional in-person hunter education courses are taught year-round throughout the state. Registering for a class is recommended but not required. Anyone ages 10 and up can attend. Classes usually run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with a one hour break for lunch. The day concludes with a written exam. The classes are free to attend. To register for one of this fall’s classes, visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/HunterEd.
Students who successfully complete the Alabama Hunter Education Course through either an online course or in-person class will receive a hunter education certification card that is recognized by all 50 states and Canadian provinces where proof of hunter education is required to purchase a hunting license.
If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed at an in-person hunter education course, please contact Michael Bloxom at michael.bloxom@dcnr.alabama.gov or call (334) 242-3620. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled course.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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