I have to take Hunter's education

[PEARL DRUMS]

That would tick me right off Mike. But, almost everything ticks me right off come to think of it?  

Michigan is a bit more lax. The retailer simply asks if you took the class. I did, but my card is 30 years lost.

[Mike Mecredy]

Thanks for the input and encouragement everyone.  No doubt I might learn something, but I have the book and other than websites here and there, there isn't much different than my workbook I had when I was 12.  However I need to have it filled in completely then sit through 8 hours of classroom to review what the book contains.  To those who have an abundance of free time it might not be a big deal, or those that just dig on taking classes it might not be a problem.  But in my opinion it's a waste of valuable time.  I've already done it.

Additionally here in Nevada all the big game tags are issued on lottery system, I might not even get a tag. After all that, taking the class and such, who knows if I can even hunt.

[Alexander Traditional]

I have to agree with you. I didn't need the class here in Texas,because I was born in 71,but I did need it to go and hunt in Colorado. I can see where some people would get some valuable information out of it,but for the most part it was common sense stuff,and if you were brought up around it and were aware of your surroundings you were o.k.

Our class was two days,and I would not want to have to do it again either.

[T Lail]

Not to be a smart butt...., but I teach hunter ed and bowhunter ed here in NC......in almost every class we have several people that for one reason or another HAVE to take the class and some have MANY years of experiance....Oh the whining we hear !!!!! But almost down to the person they come to us and thank us for teaching them something new or at least helping them look at something in a new way. The funny part is when we have a profichancy  test and the excuses the "expert" shots come up with when their shots go astray. Keep an open mind and help those "less" knowledgeable around you.    

[3arrows]

I taught it for about 10 years to mostly future crossbows hunters in Ohio.Never thought it was a waste of time.

[Mike Mecredy]

Oh no, trust me when I take that class, they will hear nothing from me, that would be additional time for the instructor to make a futile attempt to explain to me why.  I have to add, it's 75 miles away (one way) where the class is.

I plan to get qualified to conduct the class here, where I live, so others who live here won't have to travel as far.  

I have nothing against Hunters ed, it should be required to take, so those that teach it and put their hearts into it, don't get the wrong idea of what I'm saying.  You've taken it in the context that I'm somehow against it.

If there's a national data base for drivers licenses, criminal records, taxes, firearm back ground checks, personal credit, etc. they need to have one for Hunters education too.

Drivers ed isn't a waste of time either, but I bet if every time you moved to another state you had to take it again anyone would feel the same way.

[FerretWYO]

Take the time at the class to help out a kid and show them how important it is. It will be time better spent.

[J Dean]

Might even pick up a few new customers at the class...you never know

[T Lail]

Mike, I got you......we have fought for a long time to have state keep better records and / or tie it in with drivers license......Had a guy call me from Colorado who lost two days of a guided hunt because of "no record"......

[Bill Carlsen]

Here in NH an archery license from out of state works. If you need to take the class you can do it online.

[Deno]

There's always something new to learn.  Every instructor has a different approach to the same material.  
Deno

[Bowwild]

I think I misunderstood, after reading all the posts the point of this post. You aren't needing Bowhunter Education, you need the general Hunter Education card. Many states offer on-line courses and only about half require a field day.

If NV will accept South Dakota they have on-line course that NRs can take, with no field day requirement.

Of course you know why, if the course is required but you have no record, why you have to do it again.  The worst, no practice, no knowledge, gut shooter on the planet could claim they took the class but lost their proof.

I've been a trainer, instructor, and I've lost my card before. I took the class from founder, Bill Wadsworth during a training in KS (the year before he died in 1991). I lost that card and retook the class (to become a trainer) in Ky.  Lost it again but KY had the record.

I don't believe ANY hunter education should be mandatory but I believe every hunter should want to take the courses. Of course do-overs can be a chore.

I've conducted classes in my basement for western bound hunters before.

[Sam McMichael]

I was grandfathered in when Georgia introduced the required course, but I took it when my son did. He was in Middle School at the time. He had the 2nd highest grade in the class (right behind his old man). Fortunately, our class was both interesting and informative. My son feels that the course was very worthwhile.

[tim roberts]

Dang Mike, I understand the whole time thing. It's too bad you aren't grandfathered in due to birthdate, at least for hunters ed.
Thanks,

[Mike Mecredy]

Here in Nevada, if you were born 1960 or earlier you don't need it.  I guess if I was 7 years older it would make me more trust worthy and responsible or something.

[Tajue17]

Originally posted by Bill Carlsen:
Here in NH an archery license from out of state works. If you need to take the class you can do it online.

Bill when I hunted NH they wanted the previous years non resident license or my safety card, they didn't care about the other state licenses I had and that was the taxidermy place in auburn, NH

[J. Cook]

I can't say I blame you Mike - I too understand the value of the course, but have no desire to take it multiple times.  Any free 8-hours I have on a weekend is precious time to me.  I'd be irritated too.

[Kingstaken]

From the sound of many replies above I just wanted to say they do sell Fire Boxes for all important documents to be stored in. I would say your hunting licenses is one of them.      

I advise all who are young enough to make it worth while and parents to buy for their kids is to get your Life Time Licenses.
1- You will never pay for another license fee to hunt again. (Providing you pay for the top fee covering all Like a Super Sportsmen)
2- You will not have this problem of loosing your license.
2- If you move you still can hunt in the state.

[59Alaskan]

I understand.  I am making NO judgement of you Mike or any individual here on TG, but based on what I experience locally in terms of other hunters, I would support a short test on safety every 5 years.  

I routinely see hunters putting themselves or others at risk.  They aren't good examples.

Would a mandatory test solve that problem?  Absolutely not.  Would it help?  I think so.  

I will be taking the class again this year with my daughter and I look forward to it, for myself.

I am required to take the same course every year in my profession.  Every year.  It hasn't changed much at all in 20 years.  Same course.  It takes a few hours.  Do I look forward to that?  nope.  Do I think it helps me?  Yes, repetition is good for the human brain.

It's not just about the course, it's how the course relates to your life and what you are doing.  You may be doing things differently, around different situations and portions of the course that were irrelevant to you (so you didn't focus on them) are now relevant and nothing has changed in the course at all.

Or, maybe gravity is backwards in Nevada and you need to attach your harness to your foot while in the treestands.

[Mike Mecredy]

All I know is this whole thing got me really depressed.  That feeling when you're treated like you don't know what you're doing.

It happened when I retired from the Air Force, most of my time I spent leading others, then I get a civilian job and I'm told I'm not educated in management so I didn't know anything about supervision because I wasn't educated in it.

(grew my business, I don't work for anyone other than my customers, problem solved)

20 years of working on aircraft (choppers and fixed wing) according to the FAA I'm not qualified to work on civilian aircraft.

Our government is trying to tell me I'm not qualified to carry a concealed weapon to protect myself, so I had to take a course to do so, (veterans; ISIS has a bead on us)

Then I move to Nevada and they think that after 36 years of hunting I don't know how to do it and have to take a course.  

I'M SICK TO DEATH OF THESE IDIOTIC GOVERNMENTS, WEATHER STATE,FEDERAL OR OTHERWISE!

I'm just ready to disappear