Massachusetts Wildlife will sponsor a basic hunter education class in April (bit.ly/Huntclass).
The three-day state-certified class provides an opportunity for Vineyard residents to meet the Massachusetts requirements for gun ownership or a hunting license.
The course is taught by certified hunter safety instructors Tisbury Police Officer Jeff Day, Edgartown Police Officer Curtis Chandler, and the director of the natural resources department of the Wampanoag Tribe, Bret Stearns.
The class schedule is April 3, 6 to 9 pm, and April 8 and 9, 8 am to 5 pm, at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club. The class is open to students age 10 and up. Students must attend all classes to become certified. The state-certified hunter safety course is offered once a year on the Vineyard. It is regularly oversubscribed.
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 creating responsible hunters.
The course is free. Successful completion of the course meets state firearms licensing application requirements, as well as in- and out-of-state hunting license requirements.
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.
People can sign up online at the Mass Wildlife link. For additional information and to register, call the Mass Wildlife Hunter Education office at 508-389-7830.