Day 2: Online Hunter Safety Course for Michigan

A Journey to Hunter Certification for kids

Have you wondered how long the online hunter safety course takes? It’s been a few years since I went through the Online Hunter Safety Course for Michigan with my sons. My niece, Bayliee and I are breaking it up into 4 or 5 days with 2-hour sessions to cover the material. She is only 10 years old, and we want the experience to be fun not draining. We just completed day two and Units 3 and 4 of the Online Hunter Safety Course for Michigan. If you want to catchup and start at the beginning of our learning, read day one first.

Step 1: Understanding Shot Placement

In today’s lesson, we delved into the important subject of shot placement. We explored various shot examples, including broadside, quartering away, quartering towards, head-on, and backside shots. To reinforce the concepts, visual aids were used, depicting these different angles for both bow and rifle hunting scenarios.

Step 2: Addressing Confusion and Overthinking

My eager mentee stumbled a bit on the broadside shot concept. She got caught up in the trajectory of the bullet and thought the shot would go over the deer’s back. I had to reassure her, emphasizing the importance of sighting in the gun properly before heading out to hunt. “As long as you aim well, following the guidelines, you’ll be successful,” I said.

Step 3: Overcoming Misconceptions

A funny moment for me during our session occurred when we discussed a broadside shot image of a buck. Bayliee, still focused on not wanting to shoot a girl deer, misinterpreted the gender in the image. When she talked about her thought-process, she explained her concern was about reducing the female deer population. I had to share some recent population data, explaining that the numbers were on the rise, not decreasing. After this talk, Bayliee’s confusion was cleared up and she felt more at ease about shooting a doe.

Step 4: Navigating Online Training Tools

Bayliee engaged with the online training tools, which prompted her to review photos that displayed different decisions to make as a hunter. When she selected ‘yes’ for a good shot, the program provided detailed visuals of vital areas and explained proper aiming techniques. This interaction with the shot placement course material helped affirm that she was understanding and growing.

Step 5: Exploring Hunting Safety

We also delved into the importance of hunting safely. Using turkey hunting as an example, we discussed selecting hunting spots, understanding surroundings, and avoiding blind setups that could pose risks to other hunters. Bayliee absorbed this information well, demonstrating a keen interest in responsible hunting practices.

Step 6: Tackling Shotgun Concepts

Unit 3 introduced shotguns and different chokes, discussing the patterning of shots for bird hunting. I am not an expert on this topic, so I let the course material be the focus. Bayliee understood the concepts presented and seems to love learning. It’s exciting to watch your mind expand. 

Step 7: Identifying Key Interests

I’m paying attention to when Bayliee shows more interest in one topic than another. When we got to Unit 4 and the topic of vital shots, she got pretty excited and asked a lot of questions. The photos in the Unit demonstrated broadside, quartering away, quartering towards, head-on, and backside. I explained that these images were showing her the different scenarios she might face. And that it’s important to be an ethical hunter and understand the nuance of each opportunity. 

Step 8: Managing Attention Span

Bayliee didn’t face any struggles in maintaining focus throughout the units. She asked for short breaks between units because she knew she would get tired. But we were also studying in a library and I think she wanted to look for new books. I’m glad my wife suggested the library because it helped avoid distractions. She stayed engaged and the videos and photos during the lesson were helpful. 

Step 9: Online Format Advantages

The online format is working well for Bayliee. It allows her to pause, ask questions, and show interest in topics. This interactive learning format might not have been possible if she chose an in-person class. Bayliee seems comfortable with the material and learning in multiple sessions to avoid boredom.

Step 10: Preparing for the Hunt

As we wrapped up, we talked about the importance of preparation, the need to practice at the gun range, scouting hunting areas, purchasing permits, and securing property owner approval. Bayliee and I plan to visit the hunting area after her certification to get familiar with the terrain and prepare her for the big day.

Teaching Bayliee about hunter safety has been fun for both of us. She is very curious and seems dedicated to continuing the learning. Each session marks a step forward and helps her become a responsible and skilled young hunter. Girls hunt too!