Now is time to sign up for hunter education and boating safety courses
MADISON – Now is the time for young people who are planning on operating power boats this summer, or hunting this fall, to register for courses. During the next few months, a number of boating and hunter education classes are beginning around the state.
Boating safety certificate
A Wisconsin boating safety certification or out of state equivalent certification is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 to operate a power boat on Wisconsin waters, says Todd Schaller, safety education program coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
While the certificate is required for these age groups, Schaller encourages people of all ages to take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate.
“The number of recreational boaters using Wisconsin's waterways has grown tremendously over the past decade,” Schaller says. “As our waterways become more crowded and the types of boats using the water become more varied, it is increasingly important for all boaters to become educated on safe boating techniques and laws. Boating safety course graduates can help ensure healthy, happy, and safe voyages for years to come.”
The boating safety course objectives include reducing the potential for boat accidents, injuries and fatalities, reducing the potential for conflict between different types of boating activities and others on the water, and promoting safe, responsible, and ethical use of the environment and our resources.
Participants in the boating safety course learn about:
* The different types and classifications of boats, hull designs, and motors.
* Legal requirements including registration and equipment requirements.
* Navigation rules, basic safety regulations, and waterway marking systems.
* Getting underway, preparation, loading, boarding, cruising, docking, anchoring, knots, trailering, courtesy, and maintenance.
* Boat accidents, emergency measures, aquatic safety, alcohol usage, visual distress signals, fire on board, and first aid.
Schaller also notes that Wisconsin now offers an online boating safety course [boat-ed.com/wi] (exit DNR) for people who are not able to attend one of the schedule courses. Children 14 years of age or younger are encouraged to take a classroom course, offering a more hands-on learning environment.
Hunter safety education
Wisconsin law also requires that anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 complete a hunter education course and have a certificate to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin. Young people who complete the hunter education course and receive a certificate are eligible to hunt and use firearms at age 12 with adult supervision and without supervision at age 14.
“The hunter education course instills in students the knowledge and skills to be a responsible and safe hunter,” says Tim Lawhern, DNR hunter safety administrator.
Lawhern notes there are two times during the year when hunter education courses are typically offered; mid spring to early summer and then late summer to early fall.
“If you wait to find a perfect course you may find yourself out of luck later in the year,” Lawhern says. “The majority of our volunteer instructors that teach these courses are hunters themselves, therefore they wish to be out hunting in the fall enjoying what they love so much.”
The basic course consists of 10 lessons during a minimum of 10 hours. Students learn how hunting accidents are caused and how they can be prevented. Hunter responsibility and safety are stressed throughout the classes, which consist of lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, practical exercises, and individual study and activity assignments.
A key component of the hunter safety education course is teaching the four firearm safety rules (TABK):
* Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
* Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
* Be certain of your target and what’s beyond
* Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
A CD-ROM/Internet option is also available for hunter education certification, but people who sign up for this method must preregister for and attend a special field day specifically designed for this program. The field day includes a written and practical exam.
Check for course availability on the DNR Web site
People interested in signing up for either boating safety or hunter education courses can check the newly improved “Upcoming Courses” page of the DNR Web site to find a course.
The new page allows people to select the type of course they are interested in, and the county in which they would like to take the course. If they leave the county blank, the page will display all classes being held throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number required to register for safety courses
Anyone registering for any type of Wisconsin recreational safety certificate is now required to obtain a Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number before the completion of any recreational safety class. Students will be required to provide their DNR Customer ID Number along with their personal information to the instructor.
Obtaining a DNR Customer ID Number is free and can be done by calling the DNR Customer Service Center at 1-888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily, or by visiting a DNR Service Center during their regular scheduled hours.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Schaller (boating safety)- (608) 267-2774 or Tim Lawhern (hunter education) - (608) 266-1317
