New Hunter Education Instructor - Tips?

[Greg.B]

My first time as an instructor is coming up in 8 or 9 days, and I'm getting nervous. I have my materials together (provided by the state DNR) and have been reviewing the class materials and instructors manual every evening for the past couple of weeks. Indiana doesn't have a training class or test required for becoming a Hunter Education instructor. All that is required is to pass the Hunter Education class, fill out an application, pass the background check, and have a willingness to teach.

There in a Hunter Education Instructors academy, but I'm not able to make it this year since I didn't find out about it in time. I do have some training and experience teaching youth: I'm the Scoutmaster for our local Boy Scout Troop, also strongly involved with our Cub Scout Pack, have served as an archery/bb shooting instructor for Scouts, assisted with our local NRA Shooting Sports Camp as a volunteer, etc. I'm sure those skills are going to help me, but I was wondering...

Are there any instructors here with some tips to share for the first time instructor?

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Greg...

Congratulations on your certification and a High-5 to you for wanting to help hunting folks and the hunting sport !!!

I taught HS in three states over the course of nearly 30 years, and enjoyed it all. Rather than make a speech, I'll just give you some random, but very valid, observations to keep in mind.

* Relax. And remember the cure for nervousness is to smile.

* The class is all about the students, not the instructors. Some instructors realize that and some don't. You are there to help them learn - not to show them how much you know.

* Similarly - Don't "compete" with other instructors.

* Use any means you can think of to draw out as much class participation as you can.

* You will learn something from your students in every class.

* The most important thing you teach them besides Safety is Integrity and they learn it from your speech, your attitude, your clothes, your overall "self".

* Never show favoritism to either gender.

* Your students will not be any safer for bashing non-hunters or anti-hunters.
Make sure they know they are responsible for improving the public image of hunters.

* Do not assume that the adults know more than the kids. Some do, and some don't, and they can be really hesitant to ask when they don't.

* Have a good time with it. Appropriate Humor in moderate doses is very useful.

Worlds of Good Luck to You !!!

 

[472x1A/B]

I assisted in teaching Hunter Safety classes while still in the USAF at Vandenburg AFB Calif. back in thhe late 80's. Just follow everything Shawnee said and you'll be just fine. Just one thing, some of these kid and parents will really want to tell and hear stories (good ones and bad ones), keep these short and don't run out of class time. Good luck!

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I liked to pass out sticks with one end painted red to teach muzzle discipline from day 1 and through all the sessions.

I liked to teach a complete understanding of early blur - this is a a deer - and repeat - Jack O'Connor wrote of mistaking his guide who was on hands and knees for a white tail - though he did not take the shot - it can and will happen to anybody. A community member who did shoot another hunter decided it was all for lack of enough blaze orange so it was the man's own fault he was shot.

When it came to graduation the question was would I hunt with the student and usually the answer was sure - but often not with the parent - which left me nervous for the future.

 

[Harve Curry]

Greg,
Good for you. I think stick to the basics and the finer details of them. It will work out fine. I was a Life Scout and the things I learned in Scouting last a lifetime.

On a funnier note I caught a guy once looking at me though his rifle scope. I chased him on horseback till I lost him in some trees and I started feeling like a big target, so I left quickly. A year or so later I asked a game warden if I could shoot someone looking at me through their rifle scope. He said "if you see smoke first".

 

[Greg.B]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and tips. If anyone else has any others, I'll be watching this thread!