Safety First
By Evan Davis

           When most kids and teens are looking for adventure, they look for the nearest video game controller or movie theatre. For many, that is enough. But, there are a special number of kids who want more. These kids are looking for an adventure filled with challenges, ideas and skills that are usually reserved for adults. These kids are attending the HuntSAFE program.

What is the HuntSAFE program?

           Hunter Safety And Firearms Education, or HuntSAFE, is a program that teaches youth proper hunting techniques and safety, and promotes an appreciation for wildlife, ethics and the environment. The weeklong program involves many of the same teaching tools used in the typical classroom such as instructor lectures and written tests but, offers a different type of reward at the end. When students complete their HuntSAFE class they receive a certification card that allows them to go out hunting with older relatives and friends. Youth with a HuntSAFE card can get a small game hunting license and are granted many of the rights and responsibilities that older hunters get. The program is an adventure in itself.

            This fall, thousands of youth across South Dakota took on the responsibility. Next, we are going follow along one class of students as they go through the program.

By Matt Vogel

 In the Classroom

           Most people would think that adventure in a classroom would be hard to come by, but I found out that is not the case in HuntSAFE classes. HuntSAFE classes are really different from your regular school classes. The class is very laid back and the class instructor is very nice. The classes are interactive. They use different ways to teach you information. They just didn’t sit up there and talk and bore you to death.

            I wasn’t sure what to think on the first night of class. But once all the students got settled down our instructor introduced himself and let us know what we would be learning each class. Next, we watched videos and PowerPoint presentations that detailed the importance of being an ethical hunter. I learned how important it is to respect the game you hunt, the land you hunt on, the other hunters around you and the non-hunters you will see. We also learned about important skills that can be used in everyday life, such as reading maps and compasses and learning basics for survival in extreme elements and first aid.

           This night was really interesting. We learned how important hunters are and the huge impact they have on nature. I am excited for the next class. We are going to learn about all the different parts of the gun, how it works, and how to handle a gun so no accidents happen.

           The second night offered an even more active class. We watched videos and listened to experts speak on the importance of gun safety. Next, I learned about all the different parts of guns and what they do. The process of a gun firing is pretty complex. I had no idea how many different parts need to work for a gun to fire. I also got hands on experience at handling and loading guns in a safe way. These are very important things to learn. I was sure paying attention!

In the Field

            The final day of the HuntSAFE program was by far my favorite day. It was the day that I got to head out to the shooting range with all the information I learned and put it into action. After a short test to review the information I learned from the earlier classes, I got to do some real life practicing. First, I practiced handling a gun while getting in and out of a truck, and then worked on the correct way to scale fences and other obstacles while hunting. I know that a lot of hunting accidents happen when hunters are dealing with their guns and other objects, so I made sure to listen, and do all the steps correctly. Once I completed that station, I moved on to the shooting range where I practiced shooting clay pigeons. It was really exciting to test out my shooting skills. I did pretty well. I got one clay pigeon, but most importantly I got practice on how to correctly hold and shoot a gun.

            After I was done shooting, the HuntSAFE instructor handed me my HuntSAFE certification card. This meant I can go out on the fields and hunt with my family, including my older brothers. I know that with hunting comes a lot of responsibility, but after taking these classes I feel I am ready for that responsibility.

Talking to the students

            Many of the other kids in my class found the shooting range practice to be their favorite part of the class. Gabriel Gordon, 14, was one of those kids, “I really had fun practicing shooting. It was my favorite part.” Gabriel added he was excited to start hunting for real. “In one or two weeks I am going to be hunting with my family.”

            While hunting was the highlight of the class, many of the other kids learned a lot because of the HuntSAFE program. Mike McKenzie, 12, said, “The most important stuff I learned was how to load a gun and how to handle it when you are moving around.” Lance Sherman, 11, also thought gun safety was important. “The all around safety of guns is the biggest thing that I learned.”

           This class was a real adventure for me. The information we learned is really important stuff to know while hunting. I feel that I am now ready for the next adventure that awaits me in the hunting fields.