The fall hunting seasons might seem a long way off, but the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages anyone who plans to take a firearms safety class to sign up now.
The DNR and its volunteer firearms safety instructors host hundreds of classes each year and certify more than 23,000 students. However, classes often fill quickly and people who put off signing up might not be able to find a class close to home. Those who delay too long might have to wait for next year to get certified.
Firearms safety certification is required of anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, who wants to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota. It’s recommended for anyone who hunts, even if by law they don’t need to be certified, because people who are certified are less likely to be injured or killed in a firearms-related hunting incident.
“We encourage people to check the safety training calendar now and sign up since the classes tend to fill quickly. While volunteer instructors will continue to schedule classes as their calendars allow, the number of open classes will diminish as the year goes on,” said Capt. Jon Paurus, DNR Enforcement education program coordinator. “It’s great to see so many people wanting to become safety certified. By signing up early they can ensure it’s a smoother process.”
Visit the DNR’s firearms safety certification webpage for more information.