Here goes, I am a Chief Instructor for the CE/FS (Conservation Education and Firearms Safety) Programs, both firearms and bowhunters for the state of Connecticut. There is no way to teach hunting in a class room, there is no way to teach it in a field exercise. That said, let me state our goals: to educate the students in Firearms safety(bow/archery) to teach ethics and conservation and to inform(teach) the students of the current game laws.

A hunter btween the age of 12 and 16yrs MUST be accompanied by an adult. We advise all adults to hunt with a vetern hunter untill they learn hunting. (notice above whatit is called) Hunting is a hands on environment and should not be left to knowledge gained in the class room.

Our test is 100 questions and the student must achive a score of 80% to pass that portion of the course, they must also pass several field exercises including gun handling, shooting and ammo identification, these, there is no second chance, the student must pass it first time around. Can they hunt I don't know, do they know safe gun handling and safety afield, yes.

I have had more adults fail the course than kids, because some of these guys have been hunting for many years and have developed bad habits and poor practices. Do we want our kids to learn that way? Do you know all the game laws in your state? I teach them all the time, but I still carry the Hunting and Trapping guide with me into the field. I make that suggestion to all that I talk hunting with, not just my students.

Are these course worth it, I say yes, but I can only speak for my part. If you suspect they are lacking help out... you can make a difference....I firmly belive that the drop in the # of hunting related injuries is a direct result of Hunter Safety Classes.

My rant is over.

Misplaced Buckeye