oped. Many states collaborate with their local trapper
associations to offer additional classes and advanced clinics where students can set and check traps and learn pelt
preparation in the field with qualified instructors.
Muzzle Loading or Black
Powder Education
The province of Quebec and at least ten states including Illinois and Alaska offer muzzle-loading courses. The standard
course given by state agencies was developed by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMRLA), the largest
association of muzzle loaders in the U.S., and covers the
selection of hunting equipment, safe handling, powder storage, and state laws. The NMRLA governs muzzle loading
competition in the U.S. and also offers the basic eight-to-ten-hour hands-on course plus a six-hour, in-depth course
on teaching skills and techniques for individuals who wish
to teach the program. Participants are required to score at
least 80 percent to successfully complete the course.
Advanced Courses
Each year many agencies offer a variety of other
courses and clinics of interest to novice and veteran
hunters and trappers, including species-specific hunt-
ing classes for deer, wild turkey, big game, waterfowl,
or upland birds. Other clinics may focus on specific
types of equipment, such as handguns or crossbows, or
even on a specific skill such as waterfowl identification
or nature observation.
Overall, participation in hunter education courses has
remained stable over the last five years, with some states
experiencing increases and others seeing declines. All
wildlife professionals should help promote such education, as it plays a key role in the future of hunting.
Mandatory hunting courses can directly influence and
shape the behavior of hunters, paving the way for safe
and responsible wildlife management and harvest.
This article has been reviewed by subject-matter experts.
Link to the hunting-education resources
below by going to www.wildlife.org.
Hunter Education Resources
additional training and skills programs are offered by other organizations such as the national rifle association, the national Wild turkey Federation, Ducks unlimited, and the national Shooting Sports Foundation. the following is a list of organizations you can contact to learn more about your particular area of interest.
Hunting and Conservation Groups
All About Birds: an online guide to birds and bird
watching from the Cornell Lab of ornithology.
www.birds.cornell.edu/
Boone and Crocket Club: Created to preserve the
hunting heritage, scoring and keeping big game records,
maintaining hunter ethics, and furthering conservation.
www.boone-crockett.org
Delta Waterfowl Foundation: Dedicated to the future
of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. its website offers
several quizzes to test your waterfowl knowledge and i D
skills. www.deltawaterfowl.org/
Ducks Unlimited: Founded to protect, enhance,
restore, and manage north america’s wetland and
upland habitats. www.ducks.org
HandgunHunt.com: an internet site launched for
handgun hunters around the world.
www.handgunhunt.com
International Hunter Education Association:
Provides information about hunting safety and services
for hunter education instructors. www.ihea.com
International Association of Falconry: Dedicated
to preserving the art of falconry, the taking of quarry in
its natural state and habitat by means of trained birds of
prey. www.i-a-f.org
Izaak Walton League: one of the earliest conservation
organizations in the united States, formed to protect the
nation’s soil, air, woods, and wildlife. www.iwla.org
National Wild Turkey Federation: a national conservation and hunting organization that supports the conservation and hunting of all species of wild turkeys and the
preservation of the hunting heritage. www.nwtf.org
Pheasants Forever: involved in habitat improvement
projects and acquisitions that benefit upland birds.
www.pheasantsforever.org
Pope and Young Club: a bowhunting and conservation organization focused on preserving and promoting
bowhunting heritage and values. www.pope-young.org/
Quail Unlimited: Dedicated to quail and upland bird
habitat improvement. www.qu.org
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: helps ensure the
future of elk and other wildlife by conserving, restoring,
and enhancing natural habitats. www.rmef.org
Ruffed Grouse Society: uses education and leadership to enhance ruffed grouse and woodcock habitat.
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
White-tail Unlimited: Promotes the betterment of
white-tailed deer and its environment.
www.whitetailsunlimited.com
The Shooting Sports
4-H Shooting Sports Program: offers local shooting
activities to members. Programs include rifle, pistol, shot-
gun, muzzleloader, and archery. Contact county extension
4-h agents or the 4-h offices at state agriculture universi-
ties. http://fyd.clemson.edu/ssports.htm
Amateur Trapshooting Association: trapshooting is
a way to learn the basics of shotgun shooting and is also
a challenging sport helps develop wing-shooting skills.
www.shootata.com
National Rifle Association: offers a variety of shoot-
ing programs and competitive events for shooters of all
ages and experiences. www.nra.org
National Shooting Sports Foundation: Provides in-
formation and publications on sport shooting and shoot-
ing ranges. www.nssf.org or www.wheretoshoot.org
National Skeet Shooting Association: Skeet shoot-
ing is a fast-moving shotgun sport that sharpens skills for
bird hunting. Programs range from beginning shooters to
national and international events for competitors.
www.nssa-nsca.com
National Sporting Clays Association: Dedicated to
the development of the sport at all levels of participation
and creating an atmosphere of healthy competition and
fellowship. www.nssa-nsca.com
United States Biathlon Association: the national
governing body for the olympic sport of Biathlon, a
combination of cross-country skiing and rifle marksman-
ship. it provides opportunities to compete at all levels
across the country, and is responsible for national team
selection and training. it also incorporates Summer
Biathlon, a combination of running and rifle-marksman-
ship. www.usbiathlon.org
USA Shooting: the national governing body for the
sport of olympic Shooting, responsible for selecting and
training shooting sports teams to represent the united
States. www.usashooting.com
