Spring weather is here and looking at the trees, I can see the buds beginning to form and I know that a new season is upon us.
The thought of finding mushrooms in the coming months makes me smile. It soon will be time to hunt spring turkeys and the warmer it gets the better the fishing will be in the weeks to come.
In April, anyone interested in becoming a hunter can take a hunters education class. The class is mandatory for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 to purchase a hunting license. There is an apprentice hunting license available but it can only be purchased three times before you would have to successfully complete the hunters education class to buy a hunting license. The class offered by the DNR is fun and informative for all, and I am sure anyone who takes the course will enjoy it.
The local hunters education class is offered at the Izaak Walton in Logansport. It is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, as class size is limited. A second class is normally offered in the month of September too. The class is not only for the young but all seasoned hunters can learn from a refresher course as well. The class offers instruction in all aspects of the sport and qualified volunteers certified by the DNR teach it.
The local group of instructors has been given the award the past two years for having been the best in the area district. The local hunter education class also has the privilege of having the 2009 state winner of best volunteer hunter education instructor in Kenny Gifford. Anyone taking advantage of instruction from this group should consider themselves fortunate, as these are a very knowledgeable and caring group. They all volunteer their time to teach these courses in the hope of inspiring the young boys and girls and those just taking the course who are young at heart to be responsible and safe in the outdoors.
The goal is to help educate new hunters to the sport and teach them the basic safety and responsibilities of being an outdoor sportsman. It does not matter how young or old you are, the course is worth it.
If you are planning to hunt in another state in the future, I do know that having passed a hunter education/safety course is necessary in many of them. I would suggest that you take the opportunity and try this local class and that way you will be prepared if the chance to take your out-of-state dream hunt should arise, then you will have a document showing proof of passing the course. It could also be useful to anyone interested in any aspect of the outdoors to take the class as safety, first aid, conservation are all covered. It could be the information you are looking for if you are new to the outdoor sports.
The upcoming class is my recommendation to all who are interested in hunting or the outdoors. Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the outdoors.
John Newcom is an outdoors columnist for the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached through the sports department at 574-732-5774 or sports@pharostribune.com.
