[NWDomer]

I'd like to take my son hunting on Youth Turkey Day but as I read the regs he has to have hunter safety completed. The written test should be no problem but then there is the field day test day. On the ODFW sight it says youths under 11 frequently have trouble with the field day test.

What skills must my son be able to demonstrate during the field test so we can practice for the test?

Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Domer

 

[CaddisShack]

When i took my hunters ed at his age (19 now) all the class had to do on field day was shoot a .22 5 times. Didnt matter if we hit what we were shooting at or not just have to shoot and handle the weapon properly. I remember I had a baseball game that started 20mins after the field day started and I went first for shooting and was in and out in 5 minutes to my game. Very easy. But it may have changed since I took it.

 

[scarr]

My daughters field day included some shooting at 50 yds with a 22. I think they did some map and compass work, several shooting scenarios that included identification of backdrop hazards and proper shot placement. She did her hunters Ed at the Canby gun club and the instructors there do a really good job and definitely put the kids through a thorough course inside and out.

 

[sadiesassy]

I took the course as a senior adult to refresh my understanding. I took the field day in Hillsboro.

At the course we took - the field day was pretty damn simple
In Fact _ I went with the idea it was a skills test - and they were doing more teaching than evaluating skills.
I have taken hunter safety course elsewhere where "Field Test " you demonstrated your skills. ALas Oregon proved that you do not even need to know how to handle a gun to pass. I understand the Head of the Training unit at STate level was in denial about the poor training class - as a I filed a formal complaint. Received alot of nasty phone calls and emails - So I must of struck a nerve.

I would guess that most of the people there were not taught about how to handle a gun safely before they stepped up for the skills test - So it was more education that a skills test

Make sure you have your paper work signed off at each station
Areas covered.
1. Basic gun safety / handling
2. How to properly carry and traverse objects such as fences. How to transfer firearms from person to person.
3. Pellet gun - Had to shoot ( More demonstartion that you are shooting at your target and not sweeping people)
4. How to load and unload a rifle/ shotgun
5. Shot a shotgun ( Did not have to hit anything)
6. A little time on Map and compass - MOst were clueless about map and compass

So if he is fine with the written part then the skills test should be a breeze. The biggest iisue I had was many people did not know how to safely handle a gun - But they passed

In fact a couple that did not pass were pulled to the side for special "One on One" testing and magically passed.

 

[dwbri22]

I've been to two different field days with my nephew and daughter over the past 3 years. These were in central oregon and both were a little different, but basically covered the same things. A course set up that is walked by students, with multiple shoot-no shoot situations. The students all carry weapons during the walk and are observed for proper gun handling. They also go over fence crossing with a firearm during the walk. They have a shooting station where the students have an opportunity to fire a few shots from a .22 and also a shotgun. The .22 is mandatory, the shotgun was optional in both courses I attended, and clay pidgeons were used as targets. Make sure to he keeps his finger off the trigger at all times, until ready to fire, this caused alot of kids a bad mark. another station was set up for properly loading and unloading of firearms into and out of a vehicle. They go over proper ammo identification. The biggest surprise to me was how many kids could not even tell between shotgun and rifle ammunition during this exercise. One of the courses also had a map and compass reading station, this is just a informative course, and as not at the other field day, due to the number of available instructors. It is not a difficult thing to pass. making sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction at all times is paramount. Also verifying the gun is unloaded, before passing it off to someone or receiving from someone, both a visual check and physical must be done. If he can do those three things he should be fine. Remember theres only so much they can cover in a 5 to six hour course max. Its more about educating than anything else. They depend on parents and mentors to make sure the kids put that education to use in the field, and continue safe practices. If you have any specific questions about tge field day, feel free to pm me. Good luck to him and be safe out there.

 

[fishin' is livin']

Do you foresee trouble? If there is some concern with either shooting skill, or comprehension...you may want to wait until the issue is resolved before attending the class. It would be counter productive to "push" your son into a class that they are not prepared for, only to have them fail.:twocents: The two students that didn't make test scores were very young, and I believe the age factor was part of the reason, they just didn't understand the concept of the course in some areas. My youngest though was 10, but had been involved with me and safety long before the class.

When my sons attended, they basically went through the booklet page by page with the instructors, stopping to answer and ask questions. We completed two sections each week, and then discussed each section at the end.

On test day, the instructors went through the booklet again, then asked if there were any questions. Then the test was administered, and collected. Scoring was done, and there were two kids that didn't make the test score.

A field day was set up, and the the instructors had each student demonstrate the safety methods of passing a firearm to someone, crossing fences, unloading and loading at a vehicle, and such. Everyone passed this with minimal incident.

Then there were shooting skills. .22 rifle shooting at targets, I believe 25 yards, then 50 yards.After that, the shotgun skills portion, where the students shot at clays for a round of 5.

It was a great class with great instructors. If your son is involved with shooting and the aspects of safety, and can comprehend the class he should have no problem, but if it is a new concept, I would caution you to work with him prior to showing up to class. Good Luck, and if you need anymore on the class send me a pm.