[nathan]

How much do they charge? My son is now 10 y o, Im planning to get him readied for a hog hunt this year. How many hours this class run?

[Quoheleth]

See:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/learning/hunter_education/index.phtml

Ask around and try to find a good teacher. It'll make a difference between your son getting something out of it and "being taught to the test."

My dad was a HE teacher for a while; a professional educator, he not only did a good job of educating, he carried his hunting & shooting passion into the class. (Yeah, I'm biased...) Ask some of your buddies who their kids took the class from - find out if the instructor was good. Some require time on the firing range. While the state does not require it, they allow a teacher to require it. I believe the class cost is under $20, including materials, but the teacher can add range costs if necessary.

The best teacher is you. What your son sees you do, he will emulate. It would be meet, right and salutary for you to take the class with him. Not only good father & son bonding time ("My dad took the class with me!"), it would be a good time to brush up on your own safety techniques. And, who knows - you might pick up a new trick for your own kit bag.

Q

[skinewmexico]

I had my kids do most of it online. But until they were old enough to hunt without me, I didn't worry about it.

[nathan]

It says, mininim age is 12. My son is still 10. So he cant take it yet , right? Thus that mean he cant hunt until he is 12? Fill me in on this.

>>>>>>>>>>


Who needs to take Hunter Education?
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $15.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied.
age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied.

[Quoheleth]

Simple way to find out: call your local game warden or TPW office.

I believe there is a stipulation for kids under-age. Just ask! Get it straight from the horse's mouth.

But, from the website I gave you:

Who needs to take Hunter Education?
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $15.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied.
age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied.
What does "accompanied" mean?
Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Q

[nathan]

I got it, thanks .

[El General]

It says, mininim age is 12. My son is still 10. So he cant take it yet , right? Thus that mean he cant hunt until he is 12? Fill me in on this.


He can take the class, but he won't get the certificate for it. He can hunt with an adult under the age of 12.

[SGW42]

Even though I don't hunt, my father encouraged me to take it on the off chance that someone manages to get me to go and I'd be all set to pick up a license. He had just given me a new shotgun, so I guess he assumed I might get the fever for pheasants. This was about 4 or 5 years ago.

I see you're in Houston - I took the class at the Bass Pro Shops located at Katy Mills. I honestly don't remember the cost but it was affordable. It ran, IIRC, about 6 hours with a half hour break or so in the middle.

The gentleman who taught the class was very friendly and a veteran hunter. A little over half of the class was straight up hunting safety practices and covered all manner of firearms. In the second half, it was more casual. He invited a friend of his to the class, who gave us a basic run down with demonstrations on recurve bows and blackpowder rifles. After that, he showed us a video on how to properly field dress a deer. The instructor happened to be an organizer and advocate of TPW youth hunting programs, and there were quite a few of fathers and sons in the class, so there was a good discussion about that at the end, and he showed us a video of a kid he sponsored getting his first doe. Little more Q&A, a short and sweet test, and we were done.

Wish I could tell you the name of that gentleman to see if he is still teaching at the BPS at Katy Mills or track him down otherwise, as it seems his class would be optimal for what you're looking for, but I can't remember his name. I'll take a look at my certificate tonight so see if he's on there.

[SGW42]

No name, but his number was 012900, if that helps at all.

[Big Daddy K]

Yes he can hunit in Texas as long as a liscened adult is with him who has had the course or is exempt.

My kids have been hunitng since they were 5.