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History of Hunter “Safety”

International Hunter Education Association Course Standards AFWA Hunting and Shooting Sports Participation Committee (HSSPC) September 18, 2007. History of Hunter “Safety”. Kentucky first offered hunter “safety” classes in 1946

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History of Hunter “Safety”

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  1. International Hunter Education Association Course StandardsAFWAHunting and Shooting Sports Participation Committee (HSSPC) September 18, 2007

  2. History of Hunter “Safety” • Kentucky first offered hunter “safety” classes in 1946 • Game agencies determined a need for training after high accident rate stemming from veterans returning from WWII and needing to convert from soldier to hunter • Taught primarily gun handling and safety (often through the NRA and gun clubs) • New York mandated hunter safety in 1949

  3. History of the IHEA • Organized in 1972 as the North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators • Transitioned into the Hunter Education Association • 1996 name changed to the International Hunter Education Association to better reflect the international membership • Currently all U.S. states (and territories), all Canadian provinces (and territories), South Africa, Peru, and New Zealand are members. Mexico and Argentina are petitioning for membership

  4. History of IHEA Standards • Hunter safety course evaluation group commissioned through IAFWA in 1982 • Presentations pertaining to advancements in hunter safety, reduction in accidents, etc. made at the HSSPC in 1982 and 1990 • 1996, DJ Case and Associates conducted research (IAFWA/WMI funded) and reported to the HSSPC on hunter education requirements and standards • Late 1990’s, through the HSSPC, AFWA assigned an adhoc committee to develop a national set of standards so that agency directors, state administrators and industry partners could see what was taught in HE courses

  5. History of IHEA Standards, Continued • 1998 IHEA empowered Education Committee to establish standards to ensure information being taught was credible and addressed national reciprocity issues • June 1999, IHEA Hunter Education Standards and Performance Guidelines collectively agreed upon by all states • Reciprocity granted by all states • Delivery and course content was left up to each state as long as IHEA standards met

  6. Current Challenges • Since 1999, no significant changes made to the IHEA Standards • Current standards are out-of-date and no longer reflect the changes and advancements to the deliver of Hunter Education, for example, new technology not currently addressed are: • Interactive CD/home study course • Internet delivery • Live fire simulators • Test-out procedures • Due to changes in delivery, some states no longer meet IHEA minimum standards, yet their courses are high quality and serve useful purpose • What precipitated the IHEA to make changes now? Threat by two states to disallow hunter education cards from Indiana due to the fact Indiana was using internet delivery method only

  7. Proposed Change to IHEA Standards • Change from student performance standards to “certification standards” (what should be taught and tested) • Prescribe the minimum body of knowledge (“lowest common denominator”) necessary to affect safe, legal and enjoyable hunting through performance standards. (Note, some agencies currently do not meet the existing IHEA performances standards, but they do and would meet the new minimum certification standards) • Eliminate the standard that requires a student to “demonstrate” a technique or skill. Now, the student will be tested on his/her knowledge of the technique

  8. Proposed Change to IHEA Standards Continued • Establish verification method for the IHEA to ensure agencies comply with standards • Develop a protocol for IHEA to mediate disputes between agencies • Propose a list of “best practices” and a create a tracking mechanism to document which agencies achieve that level (for example, live fire would be a best practice.) • IHEA’s role is not to enforce the standards but to take the lead in recommending standards requiring a student to demonstrate knowledge of safe, legal and responsible hunting practices

  9. Role of AFWA and the HSSPC • Assist the IHEA to seek consensus with state agency directors and hunter education administrators • Ensure reciprocity between states

  10. Hunter Education’sMeasures of Success • 70,000 instructors teach 750,000 students annually • 35,000,000+ students trained since inception • Frequency and severity of hunting related injuries and fatalities continues to decline • Contribute to the recruitment, retention and education of safe and responsible hunters

  11. Thanks to Hunter Education,Hunting is Safe and Getting Safer! Photos Courtesy of Brenda Valentine

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