HuntSAFE classes begin soon in Huron

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The 2018 fall hunting season is almost here. If you haven’t had the chance to get signed up for a HuntSAFE class, I want to let you know about a few opportunities still left for this year.
HuntSAFEcovers a wide variety of issues including the different types and parts of guns, how to safely handle, load and unload a firearm, basic outdoor survival skills and how to be an ethical hunter.  The class ends with a live fire exercise that combines all the skills that the students have learned throughout the session.
Youth between the ages of 12 and 16 years who plan on youth hunting this fall will need to successfully complete a HuntSAFE class in order to purchase an apprentice deer or youth hunting license.  Adults may mentor hunters who are under 16 and haven’t completed a HuntSAFE class. Adults planning to be a mentor for big game hunting must complete a HuntSAFE class and obtain their hunter certification card.
Even though the name of the class is HuntSAFE, it is not just for hunters.  Anybody over 12 years of age who owns guns, handles guns, or has guns in the house will learn a great deal. Classes, equipment, and study material are free of charge.
The next class available in Huron is a two-day class, and will be hosted by the Beadle County Sportsman’s Club. Attendance is required for both days to receive your hunter certification. These days are Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This class is free, lunch and snacks will be provided by the Beadle County Sportsman’s Club.

Another option would be to take the South Dakota Hunter Safety Course online which costs $15. This is an alternative to the free in-person classroom instruction.
Completing the course online allows students greater flexibility and time to complete a HuntSAFE class.
After completing the online portion of the class, the student will need to sign-up for an Independent Study Field Day.
The next field day for online students will be at Sandy Cedars Lodge, near Hitchcock. This class will be Saturday, Oct. 6th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you wish to take the online version of the HuntSAFE course and attend the Independent Field Day, you can find the course at http://www.hunter-ed.com/southdakota/.
After you have completed the online course, you will need to print off the certificate and bring this to the Independent Study Field Day you chose to sign-up for.
The number of students allowed in each class is limited so early registration is encouraged.  
For class registration or more information, please contact the SD Dept. of Game, Fish & Parks office in Huron at (605) 353-7145 or online registration at http://gfp.sd.gov/outdoor-learning/hunter-education.
Courtesy of Beadle County Wildlife Conservation Officer Trevor Johnson.