Hunting season for specific game and fowl are in full swing, and now is a good time to ensure you have your Hunters' Safety Certificate. And there are two ways you can acquire your Certificate; through an in-person course or online.
"Both are great courses and both courses and both will provide the hunter with a lot of information so that they can go out and enjoy the field with their friends and family," says Program and Events Coordinator for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Chris Benson. "This is a wonderful time of year to be outdoors and enjoy the Fall hunting."
The primary goal of the Hunter Education Program is to help you understand the important role you, as a hunter, have in wildlife management and conservation. Equally important is the safe use and handling of firearms and the ethical and responsible behaviour of all hunters.
At the end of the online course, participants will receive a certificate that they can simply print off. They must have it on their person when they are out in the field hunting.
Participants in the in-person class can be as young as 10 years old, however for the online course participants must be at least 12 years of age.
This from the MWF website:
Students as young as 10 years old can take their Hunter Education Course in-class. If they are successful, they will receive their Apprentice Hunter Education Certification Card. This allows them to hunt game birds and wild turkey under a shared bag provision provided:
- The youth carries and can produce proof of age and a valid hunter education certificate or apprentice hunter education certificate or an equivalent certificate from another province, territory or country.
- The youth is accompanied by a person who is 18 years of age or older who possesses a valid licence for the species being hunted, and at all times when hunting, be in the immediate physical vicinity of the youth.
- The adult must include any game taken by the youth as part of his or her bag limit and possession limit.
"While you are out hunting, you do need a license for the game you are hunting as well as the Hunter Educaton Certificate on you, and if you need a copy of your Hunter Education Certificate you can just phone our office and we can get that copy to you," adds Benson. "Of course, if you're treaty member then you don't need a license."
"But we want to make sure everyone who is out there is having a great time and enjoying Manitoba's great outdoors!"
Over 20 million students have graduated from North American Safety/Hunter Education courses. These courses have contributed to a significant decrease in hunting accidents and an increased understanding of the responsibilities each hunter accepts while hunting.
For more information visit the Manitoba Wildlife Federation or click HERE!
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