MISSISSIPPI'S HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Hunter Education works. Since 1950, when formal hunter safety programs were introduced, the number of hunting and firearms-related accidents has declined dramatically nationwide. In Mississippi, we know that our hunter education efforts have reduced firearms accidents and saved lives. All persons born after January 1, 1972 are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. Also Effective July 1, 2006, anyone twelve (12) years of age and under sixteen (16) years of age must have a certificate of satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by the Department before hunting alone in this state. A child at least twelve (12) years of age and under (16) years of age may hunt without having the certificate of hunter education if the child is in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt resident hunter at least twenty-one (21) years of age when hunting. The commission may offer a resident apprentice hunting license for a resident over the age of 15 who does not have the required certificate of hunter education and may set the fee for the apprentice hunting license. An apprentice license may be purchased only one (1) time by a resident and the apprentice hunting licensee must be accompanied by a licensed or exempt resident hunter at least twenty-one (21) years of age when hunting. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks offers the course free of charge at locations across the state. The hunter education course includes 10 hours of instruction, including range firing. Students must be at least 10 years of age to participate and must pass a written exam and complete a firing exercise to be certified as having completed the course.
The Hunter Education program is designed to:
- reduce hunting accidents
- teach hunter ethics and responsibility
- promote wildlife conservation
- teach firearm safety
Specifically, the course contents include:
- hunter ethics and responsibility
- history of firearms
- rifles
- shotguns
- ammunition
- gun handling
- marksmanship
- blackpowder and muzzleloading
- bowhunting
- wildlife identification
- principles of wildlife management
- survival
- water safety
- hypothermia
- first aid
- (The above information was copied from http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Education/Huntered.asp) These classes are led by Ed & Kris McGinnis and are state certified courses offered to the community at no charge. All classes are held on the campus of Colonial Hills Church in DeSoto County. Each Saturday Class will contain the rifle range portion of the series, and only those already in the class will be able to shoot. Participants must be at least 10 years old by the last night of the class series and must attend all classes in a series to receive a MDWF&P Certificate. Anyone under 21 years of age must have parental/guardian consent to attend the class. To register or for more information, contact Ed or Kris McGinniss at 662-429-5407.
2010 Hunter Education Schedule:
Tuesday - August 17 through Tuesday, September 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Edge Room
Rifle Range Saturday, September 18 at 9 a.m.
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