A few years ago, I took my son and a couple of my buddy's kids through the Washington State Hunter's Ed course. Some of the kids in the class were pretty young, some no more than eight years old. When it came time to take the test, one of the parents asked if they could read the questions to the child, or clarify the intent of a particular question. The instructor seemed to have some reservations about this arrangement, so I volunteered to assist that particular child, and the instructor agreed to it. As a matter of fact extra instructors were brought in during the test to help other kids.

Except for the laws involved, most matters relating to hunting involve not much more than common sense. I don't mean to trivialize any aspect of safety, but alot of it is right vs. wrong, common sense. This is something a child will need throughout their lifetime, so why not encourage it in the Hunter Ed program.

All the kids in our class passed, some just barely. Like most certificates of completion, (driver's lic, pilot lic. etc.) the one from this class is like a permit to go out in the real world and learn. No driver knows it all just because they have a license, but they have the basic knowledge to go out and learn more as they go. Hopefully they do learn and don't hurt theirself or others in the process. The child learning to hunt can't be expected to know everything, but as in raising a child, you can't expect them to be too much better than their parent/guardian/relative/friend helping them learn. That's why we need to set a good example for them and keep as close an eye on them as possible, while still giving them the freedom to grow.

My son is my best hunting partner. He is never late in the morning, knows the kind of food I like, and doesn't talk back too much. He hasn't got lost yet (I rarely let him out of my sight!) and he doesn't want to carry his own gun yet, but that does not keep him from "hunting".

I kinda got to rambling here, but if a child demonstrates the intelligence, aptitude, desire, and dedication it takes to become a safe hunter let 'em have at it!

By the way, I also took the test at the end of the course, because certain states (i.e. Colorado) won't let out of state hunters purchase licenses unless they show proof of completing a hunter safety course, regardless of your age. I figured it would be easier to take this test than to try to find my card from New Mexico that I got well over thirty years ago!

Safety and Sucess to all.