HUNTER EDUCATION IN UTAH – Hunting season is right around the corner in Utah. The archery hunt begins Saturday August 21st. Most people are getting geared up for their hunts and looking forward to what the season will bring. However, it may also be a good time to be thinking about hunter education for those future hunters as well.
Hunter Education
To hunt in Utah, a hunter has to pass a hunter education course or participate in the trial hunting program. Hunter education isn’t always thought of as hunting season begins, but it may be a good time to get future hunters prepared for the coming years.
“January and February are the most popular months for hunter education courses, so people can apply for the big game hunt drawing. The next-busiest months are July and August, right before the fall general-season big game hunts.
To hunt in Utah, everyone born after Dec. 31, 1965, must complete a state-offered hunter education class or participate in the Trial Hunting Program.”
– Utah DWR
There are several options currently for future hunters to complete this program. Hunters may choose to do a traditional hunter education program. These courses are held in person and require a field day to demonstrate shooting safety. Future hunters may also choose to do the online course. The online course is self-paced and provides the hunter with all the education they need to pass the course. Once they complete the online course, they can print off their proof of completion and then present for their field day.
Approved online courses can be found on the DWR Hunter Education page.
“If you have a young child who’s taking the course, you can help them understand what they’re learning by sitting by their side and going through the course material with them,” RaLynne Takeda, hunter education program manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said. “Your child can also take the course at his or her own speed, and they can go back and review the material as often as they like.”
Trial Hunting Program
The trial hunting program is also an amazing program that allows hunters to try hunting without completing hunter education. The requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be at least 12 years old
- Must be accompanied by a person that is 21 years or older
- You must complete an online orientation
- Buy a hunting license and permit for the game you are pursuing
“Both of these are great ways to get started in hunting, a sport that not only allows you to get fresh, locally sourced meat, but also gives you a unique opportunity to get outdoors and make memories with your family,” Takeda said. “Hunting is also an important tool in managing healthy wildlife populations.”
This is a great program for those individuals wanting to try hunting without fully committing. In a recent podcast with Logan Bullough, he shares some great information regarding this program. He participated in the program and it helped get him into hunting.
Have you used the trial hunting program in Utah? Check out our other articles for more news and information on hunting in Utah.
