Whether one considers it a sport or an economic solution to a tight family food budget, hunting has been a tradition since the dawn of time.
No one would argue that hunting is a dangerous activity. Whether it’s a gun accident, slipping in the woods or from a tree stand, or being stricken with a heart attack while hiking or dragging a deer; one must be extremely careful and well prepared at all times.
To help curb fatal hunting accidents, 10 hours of required safety training must be completed by prospective hunters before they are allowed a hunting license.
Dansville Fish and Game Club hosted 60 future hunters for its safety course Aug. 24 and 25, taught by volunteer club officers who are registered instructors, plus Region 8 Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Chris Ward.
“We always seem to have plenty of help with our club,”?president Jim Bennett said of the volunteers ready to help with the course, adding that not all clubs are as fortunate.
This was one of several courses taught in various locations throughout Livingston County this year.
Students ranged in ages from 11 onto their 50s, but the vast majority were youngsters eager to learn the art of safe hunting practices.
Bennett has been a volunteer teacher for about 40 years. From a young age, he has had a desire to foster hunting in others. At the time he took the course himself, as well as when he first began teaching, it was a four-hour course.
“We used to hit and miss the high spots. And now we try to hit everything we possibly can with the training, safety, mechanical end of it; and we throw a lot of other things in there that we can,” he said, adding that this year's course was nearly non-stop, and instead of taking a time out for lunch, students ate during a course session.
This year’s course began at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, and ran until 10 p.m. It then started again bright and early at 8 a.m. the next morning and lasted until 3 p.m., totalling 11 hours.
“We’ve seen the hunting accidents over the last 40 years dramatically drop,” Bennett said of the extended course.
Although hunting has the potential to be the most dangerous activity or sport, Bennett said the fatalities are alarmingly rare. “Hunting is probably one of the safest sports out there ... you have a lot less injuries and deaths per hour than you do any sport.”
For the course, the club donates its facility and shooting supplies. The DEC provides a take-home book for students. “There’s a ton of material in there that’s very beneficial that we don’t even touch on,” Bennett said.
In addition to hunter safety, other courses offered through the club are bow hunting and trapping. All courses are free; and all trainers are certified and volunteers.
Whether one considers it a sport or an economic solution to a tight family food budget, hunting has been a tradition since the dawn of time.
No one would argue that hunting is a dangerous activity. Whether it’s a gun accident, slipping in the woods or from a tree stand, or being stricken with a heart attack while hiking or dragging a deer; one must be extremely careful and well prepared at all times.
To help curb fatal hunting accidents, 10 hours of required safety training must be completed by prospective hunters before they are allowed a hunting license.
Dansville Fish and Game Club hosted 60 future hunters for its safety course Aug. 24 and 25, taught by volunteer club officers who are registered instructors, plus Region 8 Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Chris Ward.
“We always seem to have plenty of help with our club,”?president Jim Bennett said of the volunteers ready to help with the course, adding that not all clubs are as fortunate.
This was one of several courses taught in various locations throughout Livingston County this year.
Students ranged in ages from 11 onto their 50s, but the vast majority were youngsters eager to learn the art of safe hunting practices.
Bennett has been a volunteer teacher for about 40 years. From a young age, he has had a desire to foster hunting in others. At the time he took the course himself, as well as when he first began teaching, it was a four-hour course.
“We used to hit and miss the high spots. And now we try to hit everything we possibly can with the training, safety, mechanical end of it; and we throw a lot of other things in there that we can,” he said, adding that this year's course was nearly non-stop, and instead of taking a time out for lunch, students ate during a course session.
This year’s course began at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, and ran until 10 p.m. It then started again bright and early at 8 a.m. the next morning and lasted until 3 p.m., totalling 11 hours.
“We’ve seen the hunting accidents over the last 40 years dramatically drop,” Bennett said of the extended course.
Although hunting has the potential to be the most dangerous activity or sport, Bennett said the fatalities are alarmingly rare. “Hunting is probably one of the safest sports out there ... you have a lot less injuries and deaths per hour than you do any sport.”
For the course, the club donates its facility and shooting supplies. The DEC provides a take-home book for students. “There’s a ton of material in there that’s very beneficial that we don’t even touch on,” Bennett said.
In addition to hunter safety, other courses offered through the club are bow hunting and trapping. All courses are free; and all trainers are certified and volunteers.
