Hunter education course set for Aug. 7-8 in Llano

SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE

LLANO — A hunter education course geared toward novice and young hunters is Aug. 7-8.

The two-day course is $15 and offers in-depth coverage of Texas hunting regulations, modern and primitive firearms, safety, ethics and responsible hunting, conservation and wildlife management, wildlife identification, and survival and outdoor skills. All materials will be provided.

The class is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 a.m.-noon Aug 8 at the Llano County Extension Office, 1447 Texas 71 East, Unit E. Students should provide their own lunches; snacks will be available.

The Llano 4-H Youth Board is sponsoring the course.

All in-state and out-of-state hunters born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete the course for hunter education certification.

Students must bring their Social Security cards. Those younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out paperwork at the extension office at 8 a.m. Aug. 7. The minimum age of certification is 9 years old.

A temporary hunter education certification card will be issued after successful completion of the course by attending the entire two-day class and getting at least 70 percent correct on the exam. The instructor will send in the exams for processing, and a permanent card will be mailed to students. You may legally hunt with a valid Texas hunting license and a temporary certification card.

Texas law requires hunters:

• younger than 9 be accompanied by a person at least 17 years old who is licensed to hunt in Texas, has passed a hunter education course or is exempt, is within normal voice range and has proof of certification with him or her while hunting;

• ages 9-16 successfully complete a hunter education course or be accompanied by a person at least 17 years old who is licensed to hunt in Texas, has passed a hunter education course or is exempt, is within normal voice range and has proof of certification with him or her while hunting;

• ages 17 and older successfully complete a hunter education course. He or she instead may purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral” but must be accompanied by a person at least 17 years old who is licensed to hunt in Texas, has passed a hunter education course or is exempt, is within normal voice range and has proof of certification with him or her while hunting.

Call the extension office at (325) 247-5159 or email vhorlen@ag.tamu.edu by Aug. 2 to attend the course.