Massachusetts Wildlife will sponsor a basic hunter education class in April. The class is a requirement for first-time hunters in Massachusetts to purchase a hunting license.
The class instructor is Jeff Day, a Tisbury police officer and state master instructor. Students must be at least 10 years of age, and must attend all three sessions to successfully complete the course and receive a letter of completion.
Course instruction includes safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, wildlife identification, wildlife management, care and handling of game, basic survival skills, and first aid.
Hunter safety-education courses are widely credited with helping to reduce hunting accidents and create responsible hunters. Successful completion of the state-certified course meets certain state firearms-licensing application requirements, as well as out-of-state hunting-license requirements.
The classes will be held Monday, April 11, from 6 to 9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, from 8 am to 4 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club, off Third Street in Edgartown.
The free class, held once a year, is extremely popular, and the 50 slots fill quickly. Preregistration is required. Students must call 508-389-7830 in order to enroll. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the roster is full, there will be a wait list. Students should not bring firearms or ammunition to the class, Mr. Day said.
Funding for hunter education classes is derived from the sale of hunting and sporting licenses, and from federal excise taxes on firearms and archery equipment.