Submitted Photo More than 250,000 students have taken a course to create a safer hunting environment for all. Photo from NDGF.

When should you start planning for next fall’s hunting season? If you or someone you know will need hunter safety and education. The time is right now.

I know it doesn’t seem quite normal when hunting seasons just wrapped up and squirrel season is still open but there’s a pretty short answer. Most classes are taught by volunteer instructors and after winter and into spring and summer they’ll be busy enjoying their own outdoor recreation.

Which also reminds me if you’ve ever thought about becoming a hunter education instructor why not sit in on a class and you can begin the process contacting our Bismarck office to take the next step.

State law requires anyone born after December 31, 1961, to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are 12 years old, and children can take the traditional course in the calendar year they turn 11 and can take the home study course the calendar year they turn 12.

Don’t get me wrong there are classes held during summer and even a few during early fall. But remember these courses are taught by more than 700 volunteer instructors who also have families, other hobbies and commitments as well.

So, typically we see most classes held between January and May. And once school is out, along comes summer fishing, boating, baseball and a whole gamut of other activities.

So, if you have a child, friend or relative who will need a hunter education certificate in order to purchase a hunting license this year, now is the time to make sure that it gets on the calendar.

Youths under age 12 may still hunt with their parents or other adults before they take hunter education. There is no minimum age for hunting small game in North Dakota.Maybe say something about not waiting to the last minute to find a course and mention that youth who turn age 11 before the end of the calendar year may receive a whitetail doe license valid for the youth hunting season and the regular deer gun season without having taken the hunter education course

Since 1979 when hunter education requirements were established in North Dakota, more than 250,000 students have taken a course to create a safer hunting environment for all. It’s not just for you, but stop and think about feeling a little bit safer knowing other hunters down the road, across the slough and over the hill have completed the class as well. It’s a comprehensive course which includes wildlife management concepts, biology and the ethical and moral aspects of becoming a well-rounded hunter.

Over the coming months, communities in North Dakota will host around 240 different hunter education classes. Individuals or parents with children who will need to take a course in 2025 should monitor the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, as classes that begin in January will be added to the Buy and Apply link as soon as times and locations are finalized.

The best way to find a course is to sign up for text/email alerts and select hunter education.

Doug Leier is a NDGF biologist and a Williston native. He began his career at Lostwood NWR and was a game warden in Bottineau.