Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington   (GoPAW)

Due to WDFW budget cuts the Hunter Education program is facing several changes in how it is being scheduled.  GoPAW is in contact with the Enforcement officer that will be taking charge of this area of responsiblity and as GoPAW is able, there will be updates as to scheduled training programs or website links to make it easier to access infomration about this program.  

The Washington Hunter Education Instructors Association continues to work with GoPAW on activities and with its invovlement in the Hunter Education program. 

The information on this page is provided through a the partnership wtih WDFW and the Washington Hunter Education Instructors Association (WHEIA).  Please refer all questions or comments to the contact noted below the photo to the right of this column.

All hunters born after January 1, 1972 are required to show proof of hunter education course completion or a previous Washington hunting license before purchasing a new hunting license.

WHEIA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides Hunter Education Course Instructors, who provide the required training for individuals who need to receive this certification in order to purchase a hunting license in the state of Washington.  A listing of courses is provided below as a contribution by GoPAW in support of this group and the programs which they offer.

WHEIA is a major supporter of events, activities and other related volunteer activities with GoPAW.  WHEIA members can always be found at meetings, activities and much more when they are not providing Hunter Education classes.  Please give them a hand and say thanks as they are all very involved in making sure that youth in Washington State have every opportunity to Go Outside and Play.

For more information please review the information that is contained on the Hunter Education webpage at:  http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/index.html

Students learn about gun safety.

For more information
please contact the
Hunter Education Program.

Eastern Washington
Ephrata office
(509) 754-4624

Western Washington
Olympia office
(360) 902-8111
huntered@dfw.wa.gov

2010 Hunter Education Program Links

Basic Hunter Education Class Schedule & Information

Hunter education training is required in Washington State for all hunters born after January 1, 1972. The Department of Fish and Wildlife offers four distinct types of hunter education training opportunities, including:

Traditional Class
WDFW strongly recommends the traditional hunter education class. One or more instructors typically offer detailed classroom instruction, practical exercises and live-firing activities to prepare successful students. 
 
Paradigm Shift ^(PS)
A compressed class which places the entire burden for learning on the student, this hunter education activity is only recommended for adult students.

Student Jamborees ^(SJ)
An intensive, three-day class (Fri-Sun), the Student Jamboree keeps both students and instructors busy in a camp-like atmosphere.

Home Study
No instructional support is offered for students enrolled in this module, and this hunter education activity, which is only recommended for mature students.

The majority of hunter education activities listed below are traditional classes.  http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/basic.php

Bowhunter Education Class Schedule & Information

Bowhunter education is a partnership agreement among the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Archery Association, the Traditional Bowhunters of Washington and the Washington State Bowhunters.

Although bowunter education training is not required in Washington State, many states do require it for all bowhunters. Washington’s bowhunter education program meets the requirements of all states.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife offers two types of bowhunter education training opportunities, including:

Traditional Class
WDFW strongly recommends the traditional hunter education class. One or more instructors typically offer detailed classroom instruction and practical exercises to prepare successful students.

Distance Learning
Students enrolled in this module can complete their course work and testing online, and complete their skills evaluations as part of a traditional class. This bowhunter education activity only recommended for mature students.

Please Note: Bowhunter education classes do not meet the Washington training requirement to purchase a hunting license for first-time hunters born after January 1, 1972. http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/bowhunting.php

Trapper Education Class Schedule & Information

All first-time Washington trappers, regardless of age, are required to successfully complete Trapper Education training or successfully challenge the written examination process. The Washington State Trapper's Association sponsors one course each year at their rendezvous on the third weekend in August. Location varies from year to year.  http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/trapping.php  

Online Hunter Education Students

Home Study Classroom / Range Evaluation Sessions - The dates and locations listed below are evaluations for students enrolled in the online home study program.  http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/online.php

Becoming a Certified Washington Hunter Education Instructor

Hunter education instructors are volunteers who devote personal time and effort to promoting hunting safety. Certified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), hunter education instructors are authorized to teach public classes consistent with curriculum and policies established by WDFW.

Instructors must be at least 21 years of age, keenly interested in promoting safety, wildlife conservation and responsible outdoor behavior and willing to teach or assist in at least one class per year.

Nowadays most hunter education instructors team teach. The typical class involves two or more instructors who share the responsibilities of setting up and conducting classes. If you have a hunting partner (or two!), coworker or another family member who can assist you, please invite them to consider applying as instructors, too!

All potential instructors undergo a background investigation to insure they have no problems which would prevent them serving as instructors.

In addition to the background investigation, instructors are asked to attend a basic hunter education course and to assist in conducting a course. This gives the candidate a good insider's view of what the curriculum entails and an insight into the role of the instructor.

WDFW staff also conduct new instructor training from January through August of each year. Class locations and dates vary, but all instructor applicants are provided advance notice about class dates and locations. Please check hunter education staff to determine training locations and dates.

The work of the hunter education instructor is demanding, the pay is lousy (as in non-existent!) and the hours are often long and inconvenient. Instructors love their work not because of any material rewards or benefits, but because they know they are contributing in some small way to the future of hunting. If you like a challenge, aren't afraid of hard work and see yourself as a good team player, we want to hear from you soon!

Right now, additional instructors and teaching teams are needed in Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Yakima Counties.

If you are interested in learning more about the role of hunter education instructors, or if you'd like an application to get started, please contact the hunter education program.  http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/instructors.html