CNBNews

Hunting does not usually make news unless there is an accident or a protest. It is important to note that millions of hunters go out into the woods or fields of their favorite stomping ground and come home at the end of each day with nary a scratch. Accidents do occur while hunting, and will occur so long as those participating in the activity are human.

In an effort to reduce these accidents New Jersey requires prospective hunters to take part in an extensive hunter education course. The course is free, informative, and can be taken in three main categories: Shotgun, Rifle/Muzzleloader, and Archery.

In New Jersey, The hunter education program is completed in two parts. There is a home study portion that is to be completed in full before you can move to the second part of the education. This home study portion includes watching a video, reading the training booklet, and completing the accompanying workbook. Once this is done, you can register for daylong exam/field session.

The field session lasts most of the day. During this part of the hunter education program, participants must demonstrate the knowledge they obtained from the video and information booklet. This is followed by a shooting test. For archery this means you must shoot at least 3 arrows into the vital zone of a 3-D deer target. During the shotgun and rifle/muzzleloader test, participants are required to demonstrate safe handling of the firearm, as well as proper loading and firing.

As mentioned previously, the hunter education course is free. This is a thanks in part to the Wildlife Restoration Act. In 2003, a total of 2.65 million dollars was designated for New Jersey alone portions of that money are used every year to fund the hunter education programs.

There are few activities that you can participate in that provide as much for the conservation and support of our environment as hunting and fishing. The hunter education courses teach safety, but they also teach awareness for those around you and the environment. Sitting quietly in a tree stand, hunters witness natural events that are rarely seen by most people. In my stand not only have I seen deer but I have also witnessed a Red-Tailed hawk take a squirrel right off the ground, a couple of foxes chasing each around a dead tree, a family of raccoons digging in a tree looking for a meal, and much more.

source South Jersey Outdoors