Final Hunter Education Program numbers are in

The final numbers are in! No, I’m not talking about the Super Bowl or a presidential election or even the first three places in a horse race at Belmont. What I’m talking about are the final numbers of classes taught, and students certified for the ADF&G 2024 Hunter Education Program (HEP).

As I’ve stated before, the HEP has four different courses which are taught to students interested in hunting with archery (bowhunting) equipment, muzzleloading firearms, crossbows, and the basic course, which substitutes for the certification to hunt in areas where there are firearms restrictions like the Palmer-Wasilla Management Area.

According to Ginamaria Smith, the HE Program Coordinator statewide, a total of 147 classes were taught which certified 1,869 students statewide for the basic course; 47 classes were taught which certified 401 students for bowhunting; 17 classes were taught which certified 84 students for muzzleloading hunting; and 11 classes taught which certified 40 students to hunt with a crossbow. This results in a total number of 222 classes with 2,394 students certified across the state in 2024.

The Wildlife Division of ADF&G is broken down into four regions covering the state. We are in Region IV. The numbers for our region show 43 classes taught in all disciplines which resulted in HE certifications for 456 students.

A couple of things here – all instructors, regardless, of course taught, are volunteers and receive no renumeration for their time. However, the department has determined a dollar value per hour of donated instructor time which is used as state match for federal dollars coming into the program. For 2024, 4,629 volunteer hours were donated which resulted in a dollar match worth $984,265. These funds are used to cover costs of program administration and to purchase class supplies, rent facilities where classes are taught, and pay for travel of both instructors and ADF&G employees involved in teaching classes around the state.

Most of the volunteer instructors are certified to teach more than just one of the four curriculums. Some even teach multiple classes each year also. For example, I’m certified to teach all four classes. The HEP has hundreds of certified instructors statewide, but not all of them actively teach classes. I usually try to teach at least two classes each year, with one being muzzleloading and the second the crossbow course.

Last year, 254 instructors taught multiple discipline courses. A total of 311 instructors taught at least one class involving one of the four class categories. In our region, Paul Houser taught 13 HE classes throughout the year. I’ve taught classes with Paul, and he is an excellent teacher who is very knowledgeable about the materials being taught. I was also surprised when the HE folks awarded me special recognition for having over 500 volunteer hours of accumulated course time with the program since I started teaching years ago.

The scheduling of classes is pretty well set for this coming year. The announcement of drawing permit hunt winners is coming up shortly. In order to apply for most of these hunts, you must already have your HE certification for the type of hunt applied for, but next year is coming. It would be a profitable endeavor this year to sign up for the HE class you need to apply for a specific hunt for next year.

Switching gears for a minute, the annual Matanuska Valley Sportsmen’s gun show is this coming Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16 at Raven Hall on the state fairgrounds near Palmer. I usually try to make this show to help with the muzzleloading club’s table. I’ll have to call the folks from the muzzleloading club to see what’s happening.

I didn’t make the last couple of gun shows because of weather, aches and pains, and, frankly, a lack of surplus funds. I hate to see something at a show that I’ve been trying to find for a long time and not have the money to get it. And besides, I’ve also been looking to start downsizing my gun stuff, so do I really need to buy more stuff? I have been doing a little upgrading when the opportunity presents itself.

This coming Friday is Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to tell your significant other how much you love them. A box of candy or a bouquet of flowers would also be nice. A nice dinner out would be a nice gesture as well. We’ll probably stay home and have a nice dinner. You don’t have to spend money to show your love!