Hunters safety issue

[johndeeregreen]

My 9yr old son is taking a hunters safety course in Gresham right now and I stay with him for every class. I appreciate the teachers and the time they put in to teach the younger. Most of this class is kids, I would say under 14yrs old. My problem is that the dvds they use don't work most all of the time, when they do work they are so out of date that it is just plain silly. But what bothers me the most is that this class is for kids but the guns they bring in to use for "hands on" are full size guns and they are JUNK. They don't operate right and they are not oiled. The pump shotgun we had would almost not cycle a shell without failing. Has anyone noticed this in they classes.

[ehunter]

I have been though that class 4 times 3 times with my kids. I think what you have to remmber is that these instructors are volunteers and they don't get much money from the state for their teaching aids. I am sure that if you wanted to give them a new shot gun they would be happy to accept it. These guys go from one class to another to get all the kids though for this fall. I know that your not being mean spirited. I think their stuff gets worn out over time...

[SImudBogger]

It's funny you mention the guns not being that great. i remeber in my hunter safety class we had really nice guns, Win. 94, nice stainless bolt rifle (don't remeber the make/model) and a wingmaster. they were the instructors guns if i remeber correctly. That was about 10 years ago so things my have changed.

If i didn't have work and school both full time i would volunteer in a second.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by ehunter

I have been though that class 4 times 3 times with my kids. I think what you have to remmber is that these instructors are volunteers and they don't get much money from the state for their teaching aids. I am sure that if you wanted to give them a new shot gun they would be happy to accept it. These guys go from one class to another to get all the kids though for this fall. I know that your not being mean spirited. I think their stuff gets worn out over time...

Just finished taking the class two weeks ago. My 13-year old daughter and I took it in Sherwood. Our guys were great. I took the same class with my son about 5-6 years ago. Yes, the guns were old, but like eHunter said, the state gives them zero money for equipment, and I can bet the $10 for the class doesn't even cover all the costs.

Don't look at it as a failing of the class, look at it as an opportunity/excuse to get out there with your child and blow up some targets!

[Newbs]

If I was teaching a class full of kids that I did not know and I was going to bring a gun to class for them all to handle... I would likely bring one that did not cost me very much... Just a thought.

[Yeti]

Perfect chance to show the kids what happens if you don't maintain your guns! I have thought about voluntereing to teach. I doubt I would bring my good guns out for them.

When I took the class, 30 years ago, the marines from the local base came out with a bunch of guns. It was super cool to be able to handle full auto machine guns at the age of 14! Yes they did let the kids shoot them! Our practical shooting test was done with single shot 22's.

[johndeeregreen]

I wonder if some of the major sporting goods stores would help out some.

[Swamp Puppy]

IMHO the best (or worst) hunter education is taught at home and in the field by the parent/mentor.

have your kids take the class, as it is required, but you teach the kids what they really need to learn. they will learn from you, your actions, and what expectations you place on them.

[AtItAgain]

I agree with Swamp Puppy. They may learn enough to pass the required class at hunter safety, but what they learn from their parents is what will last a life time. Just my .

[Gun Rod Bow]

Too bad the "MILLIONS" of dollars generated for hunter education by the Pittman / Roberston act are miss managed.

[johndeeregreen]

Originally Posted by Swamp Puppy

IMHO opinion the best (or worst) hunter education is taught at home and in the field by the parent/mentor.

have your kids take the class, as it is required, but you teach the kids what they really need to learn. they will learn from you, your actions, and what expectations you place on them.

Originally Posted by AtItAgain

I agree with Swamp Puppy. They may learn enough to pass the required class at hunter safety, but what they learn from their parents is what will last a life time. Just my .

I agree.

[ehunter]

Originally Posted by AtItAgain

I agree with Swamp Puppy. They may learn enough to pass the required class at hunter safety, but what they learn from their parents is what will last a life time. Just my .

This is what scares me learning from some of their parents, have you seen the road hunters and the guys in the back of the trucks, at least though hunter saftey the kids are taught right and wrong.

Personaly I would love to see kids have hunters saftey as a elective in the JR high and High schools. Too many parents are putting their head into the sand even if they don't have a gun. Some where some time those kids migh end up handling one..

[AtItAgain]

ehunter,

You are right what kids learn may be good and it may not be, but I still believe which ever it is that is what sticks with them. The only way I see that a kid that has parents/mentors teaching bad ethics/hunting practices to change is to have friends with that hunt with strong hunting ethics.

As for teaching hunters safety in school, I think it would be great. The problem is I don't think it is realistic. I could only image the the parents of the tree hugging, anti-hunting, don't spank your kid group. They would be protesting outside the school with Jane Fonda. It would be ugly.

[gottafish]

When I took my son through it , They didn't have any archery stuff or muzzle loader stuff. so I brought in mine and taught that section of the course. I wish I had time to teach hunters saftey I just love teaching kids about hunting and the outdoors. I would be totaly fine is I never shot another animal as long as I get to help a kid get his! When I retire I am going to teach this class

[ehunter]

Rich you guys should go take the Bowhunters saftey class it was very good and you need it if you ever want to hunt out state in every state but Oregon:blush:

My point is that some kids when they go though the hunters saftey class they get some exposure to good ehtics that they may never see other wise. I have taken several kids in the past on youth hunts and I felt safer than during regualr season.

[Swamp Puppy]

Ehunter - my point is that, even though a kid goes through hunter safety, once they are out in the field it's their adult mentors that will dictate (in most cases) how that person evolves as a hunter. good or bad. so, yes..there are alot of bad influences out there and they will probably raise future bad influences in spite of what is taught in hunter's ed.

[gottafish]

Originally Posted by ehunter

Rich you guys should go take the Bowhunters saftey class it was very good and you need it if you ever want to hunt out state in every state but Oregon:blush:

My point is that some kids when they go though the hunters saftey class they get some exposure to good ehtics that they may never see other wise. I have taken several kids in the past on youth hunts and I felt safer than during regualr season.

I already have

[SImudBogger]

I was fortunate that my dad taught me more safety than i learned in hunter safety class. The first few years in the field i carried a BB gun or an unloaded .22 and every move i made was watched by my father.

Prime example of why youngsters need a GOOD hunter safety course: 2 years ago while deer hunting in the white river unit, A guy dressed in all camo walked straight up the middle of a clearcut that 4 hunters were watching. i didn't see him until he was about 100-120 yds away. As he got clsoer i could see 2 smaller, similar dressed figures behind him. THEY WERE HIS KIDS! all camo or black, no orange. i stood and waved to him, he waved back. A little while later i shot a buck that passed right through where he walked. We saw the man and his kids later on in the day and my uncle offered him 2 blaze orange youth size stocking hats he had purchased by mistake, thinking they were adult size. The man LAUGHED at my uncle and said his kids DIDN'T NEED orange hats, but thanks anyway.

those kids are going to grow up thinking that wearing orange isn't important.

[ehunter]

Rich did you take your son????

[PIR8 Hook]

Originally Posted by ehunter

Personaly I would love to see kids have hunters saftey as a elective in the JR high and High schools. Too many parents are putting their head into the sand even if they don't have a gun. Some where some time those kids migh end up handling one..

I used to teach hunter safety in a middle school. I CAN NOT imagine the protests now!!!!GUNS IN SCHOOLS OH NO. Teaching the youth of America that cute little Bambi and his father and mother can be killed???? Don't you know how evil hunters are?????

My goodness, don't you know that chicken and hamburger comes from the plastic tray in the supermarket????

[sunshinefisherman]

I took my daughters to two different classes. The first was near I 205 at Johnson Creek. It was OK, a couple of the speakers were kinda dry but there were lots of participative activities. The second, which we just finished, was at Douglas Ridge Rifle Club in Clack County. The speakers were more interesting but they had fewer activities.

There are definitely differences between courses and facilities. Between the two, I'd say I liked the Douglas Ridge class better.

It is important to remember that these folks are volunteers and take crap on a daily basis from big daddy know-it-alls. Also, it cost $10, for that price, you should have no expectation of up to date videos, expensive handouts, etc. Now if you want to pay $50 or $100 . . .

[gottafish]

Originally Posted by ehunter

Rich did you take your son????

Good point Ill have to get him in to the class.

[woolybuggerboy]

Originally Posted by PIR8 Hook

Teaching the youth of America that cute little Bambi and his father and mother can be killed???? Don't you know how evil hunters are?????

We need to educate the public on Bambi. Bambi's mother is killed by poachers. Bambi hasn't even last his spots yet, which indicates mid summer (not hunting season), plus she has a dependent fawn, and any ethical hunter wouldn't shoot a doe with a fawn. they are also irresponsible (set the whole woods ablaze).
People need to understand that the jerks in bambi don't represent real hunters.
Sheesh

[toas243]

Originally Posted by SImudBogger

I was fortunate that my dad taught me more safety than i learned in hunter safety class. The first few years in the field i carried a BB gun or an unloaded .22 and every move i made was watched by my father.

Prime example of why youngsters need a GOOD hunter safety course: 2 years ago while deer hunting in the white river unit, A guy dressed in all camo walked straight up the middle of a clearcut that 4 hunters were watching. i didn't see him until he was about 100-120 yds away. As he got clsoer i could see 2 smaller, similar dressed figures behind him. THEY WERE HIS KIDS! all camo or black, no orange. i stood and waved to him, he waved back. A little while later i shot a buck that passed right through where he walked. We saw the man and his kids later on in the day and my uncle offered him 2 blaze orange youth size stocking hats he had purchased by mistake, thinking they were adult size. The man LAUGHED at my uncle and said his kids DIDN'T NEED orange hats, but thanks anyway.

those kids are going to grow up thinking that wearing orange isn't important.

I think it thins the gene pool when people get killed when they do`nt follow safety precautions sorry Oh BTW I teach my kid`s correctly that a gun IS ALWAYS LOADED

[PIR8 Hook]

Originally Posted by woolybuggerboy

We need to educate the public on Bambi. Bambi's mother is killed by poachers. Bambi hasn't even last his spots yet, which indicates mid summer (not hunting season), plus she has a dependent fawn, and any ethical hunter wouldn't shoot a doe with a fawn. they are also irresponsible (set the whole woods ablaze).
People need to understand that the jerks in bambi don't represent real hunters.
Sheesh

I still teach and I try, BUT you are looking at the issue logically. The public does not for the most part. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY young girls are "vegitarians" because it's "cruel to kill animals", but wear leather belts and leather tennis shoes and don't consider where it comes from. I've even had several tell me that they were vegans but ate chicken nuggets!!! It's not just Bambi...it the whole personifcation of animals. They DO NOT understand how the natural world operates under the law of tooth and fang. When we were an agricultural nation the kid on farms saw the circle of life. They saw animals harvested to feed the family. Now kids don't really understand where their food comes from.