Hunting class offered to beginners

MORGAN—While it may seem like fall is a long way off, the falling of leaves, and subsequently hunting season will be here before many realize, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is on hand to ensure people interested in hunting are prepared. 

To hunt in Utah, everyone born after Dec. 31, 1965, must complete a state-approved hunter education class or participate in the Trial Hunting Program. The Utah DWR has provided the following information to help facilitate participation in these courses for beginners and everyone interested in trying their hand at hunting this season.

To complete hunter education in Utah, interested parties have the option of taking a traditional in-person class led by an instructor or an online course followed by an in-person field day. Both options include a final written test and the “field day,” which includes a hands-on skills demonstration and a live-fire shooting exercise at the end. Prior to taking either course option, students need to buy a hunter education registration certificate online or from a license agent. The certificate costs $12 and is required before the in-person field day. 

Both the in-person and online courses will teach about firearm safety, hunter responsibility, and ethics. The online course can be taken at the student’s own pace, while the in-person course typically has scheduled meeting times and locations. The online course costs $25 and can be registered for on the Utah Hunter Education webpage. 

“If you have a young child who’s taking the course online, you can help them understand what they’re learning by sitting with them and discussing the course material as they go through it,” RaLynne Takeda, hunter education program manager for the Utah DWR, said. “Your child can also take the online course at their own speed, and they can go back and review the material as often as they’d like.”

The instructor will provide additional details about the in-person field day after registering for an available course. Once the online portion of the course is finished, registrants can print their proof-of-completion document. 

Utah’s Trial Hunting Program is another way to get in the field this fall. The program gives prospective hunters a chance to try hunting with an experienced hunter and see if it is something they’d like to pursue. Interested parties are not required to take hunter education to participate in this program.

Prospective hunters must be at least 12 years old to join the program and need to be accompanied by a licensed hunter who is 21 years old or older. To participate, interested parties must complete a brief online orientation course, which can be found on the DWR website. They also need to buy a hunting license and permit for the species they’d like to hunt. In this program, participants are eligible to obtain the following licenses and permits: 

• Combination or hunting licenses (good for hunting all small game, including upland game and waterfowl)

• General-season deer and elk permits

• Permits to hunt bear, greater sage-grouse, sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse, tundra swan and turkey

More information on the program can be found on the DWR website. 

“Both hunter education and the Trial Hunting Program are great ways to get started in hunting. It’s an activity that not only allows you to get fresh, locally sourced meat but also gives you a unique opportunity to get outdoors and make memories with your family,” Takeda said. “Hunting is also an important tool in managing healthy wildlife populations.” λ