Now is a good time to sign up for a hunter safety class, if you’re planning to hunt this fall and still need to complete your hunter education course. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says classes are offered around the state, and currently there are forty classes scheduled during August and September. More classes are expected to be posted by volunteers over the next few months.

“The late summer is a good time to get into a hunter education course,” says Tristanna Bickford, Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter education coordinator. “Certified instructors are offering lots of courses right now around the state. But, they fill up quickly so enroll today.”

Hunter education is required in Wyoming for all hunters born after 1965, and there are exemptions for military and law enforcement. Wyoming also offers a hunter mentor program for hunters who don’t yet have hunter safety, and you can find out more about that program online. For hunters who are new to the state or don’t live in Wyoming, certifications from other states are permitted, but you must have proof in the field.

“The major purpose of hunter education is to promote safe and ethical hunting, while teaching skills that will prevent hunting and firearm-related accidents. The course enhances knowledge about the tradition of hunting and focuses on hunting responsibilities,” says Bickford.

If you can't make a regular course or want to work at your own pace, you can also sign up for online hunter education courses. The online courses do require students to attend a field day to earn their hunter education certification.

Game and Fish says they're always looking for qualified volunteers to help teach the hunter education courses. Ideally, the volunteers have experience hunting in Wyoming or in other states and are passionate about sharing hunting with the next generation.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact Tristanna Bickford at tristanna.bickford@wyo.gov or by calling (307) 777-4542.

To register for a class, visit the Hunter Education website. The website is updated as new courses are scheduled.

More From Laramie Live