Dozen local students earn hunting safety certifications

Just under a dozen students at the local middle and high schools took part in a two-week hunter education course, earning their certifications in the process.

The course was led by Winston Davies, who teaches the district's Alaska skills course.

"It's the first time to my knowledge that hunter safety has been taught here in years," he explained. The state-approved curriculum provides a

well-rounded course, covering firearms safety training, wildlife conservation, and respect for natural resources, landowners and other hunters. Originally it was supposed to be an all-high school class, but interest among Stikine Middle School students led to it becoming a mixed makeup course instead.

While safety certifications are not a prerequisite for hunters in most parts of Alaska, in many other states proof of such a course is necessary to purchase a license.

"It's for life," added Davies. "I did it when I was in elementary school."

The certifications are recognized not only in all 50 states, but also by state and provincial governments in Canada and Mexico. Such programs have been ongoing for over 65 years, with Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimating some 30 million graduates during that span in the United States. The hope is to reduce accidents while promoting better stewardship of the outdoors.

The skills course had a classroom component, working through an eight-chapter curriculum. Guest speakers also participated in the class, such as the local Alaska Wildlife Trooper outlining a number of the state's regulations. Chief Doug McCloskey of the Wrangell

Police Department and professional guide Scott McAuliffe have been helping out with the course as well, Davies explained.

The practical component of the course was held in the police department's basement, where it maintains an indoor shooting range.

"We've been coming up to the range almost every day for the last two weeks," said Davies. There, students learned basic mechanics with scoped .22-caliber rimfire rifles. To earn their certification students would need to qualify, demonstrating marksmanship at a distance of 50 feet.

The course took more time than Davies first anticipated, as the lessons were for many their first formal instruction on the use of firearms.

"There are a few that have shot a little, but not that much," he said. "For some of them, a lot of them, even those that have hunted quite a bit, they came in and they were spraying lead all over the place. It's amazing how much they've tightened their groups up over the last week. They've seen huge improvement."

The experience gained has been useful, and Davies hopes to be able to organize an adult course that would be open to the wider community.