New hunters who want to get a license this year should know that you can no longer challenge the hunter’s education course and just write the test. You must take the full course, which involves about 25 hours of work, then you can write the test and get your license.
That is not the only change this year.
“It used to be that when you went into the license regulators they would ask if you had passed the test and trust you were answering truthfully. Now everybody who passes gets a registration number. If you don’t have that number, you won’t get a license,” said Wendell Mills, the owner of Brian’s Sports and the man who will be teaching the hunter’s education course locally.
Mike Serack, who work’s at Brian’s Sports, said the hunter’s education course can either be taken in person or online. If you take it online, it will cost $90. With an instructor like Mills, the course costs $50.
Mills said the course he offers has about eight hours of in-person instruction coupled with about 15 hours to complete a work book each student will complete on his or her own.
“We’re going to give lots of homework,” Mills said. “The last eight hours are in person. They are required to do the workbook then receive a minimum of eight hours instruction.”Mills said there is some controversy even with that compromise, adding many would like to see all 25 hours of the course completed with an instructor present. However, he said this becomes an impossible task  unless you live where you can always access full-time instructors, as in cities like Edmonton or Calgary.
The test is not an easy one either. Mills said there is everything on it from questions about the best wood to use in making an ax to wild life identification, first aid knowledge and survival.
He added he is considering discussing partnering with local schools so students, who can earn one credit through the course, might be able to access it then apply to their school to receive that credit.
Mills added that young hunters who are considering going out hunting in the fall can still apply for their draws in June, even though they don’t have their license or haven’t passed the hunter’s education course as of yet. They just need to pass it at the latest the day before they get their license.
The course will be running May 14 and 15, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Community Meeting Room in Bow Island. Anyone interested in registering for it should contact Community Adult Learning.