If you’re new to hunting make sure you possess the knowledge and skills to be a safe and ethical hunter.
That’s the message from Barry and Judy Jenkins, both committee members of the Williams Lake Sportsmen’s Association (WLSA), who will be hosting a Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) program beginning next Tuesday, Jan. 28, and running every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. for four weeks at the WLSA clubhouse on Bond Lake Road.
CORE is designed for individuals wishing to obtain their first B.C. resident hunting license and is offered through the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCFW).
That said, anyone up until the age of 14 is still allowed to hunt under the licence of a parent or guardian 18 years or older.
“It’s a bit confusing to some people,” Barry said. “Any youngster 10 years and older can take CORE and if they pass then they get their own B.C. hunting licence number and their own big game tags, their own hunting limit and everything else. After the age of 18 they must have CORE to hunt at all.
“In any case no one can hunt alone until they’re 18 years or older — that includes with a bow, not just a firearm.”
CORE focuses on seven areas of study: firearms, bird identification, animal identification, habitat identification, hunter ethics, regulations and survival and first aid.
Also offered through the CORE program for students 18 years or older is the opportunity to acquire a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).
“The CORE program is a one-time shot,” Judy said.
“But your PAL has to be renewed every five years, but you don’t need to write the exam again.”
During the last three courses they taught over the past year Barry said roughly 60 students have graduated.
Anyone interested in signing up for the course is asked to contact Barry or Judy as soon as possible by phone at 250-392-6750 or by e-mail at judyjenkins@telus.net.
Additionally, fellow WLSA director Caroline Chupa also hosts the CORE program at the WLSA clubhouse and teaches the program through Lake City secondary.
For more on CORE visit the BCWF’s website at www.bcwf.net.