DeerFever.com

Experienced deer hunters have a great opportunity to share the hunting heritage by inviting a rookie hunter to go hunting with them using an apprentice-designated hunting license.

The apprentice-designated hunting license enables individuals age 10-35 who have not completed a hunter education course to hunt, but they must purchase the appropriate licenses, and they must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or who is exempt from the hunter education requirements.

“The apprentice-designated license makes it even easier to invite someone to go hunting with you,” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “It paves the way for sportsmen looking to mentor a youth or introduce a family member, friend or co-worker to the outdoors even if they haven’t completed the course and don’t have time to before the season opens. It also gives parents an opportunity to teach their kids how to hunt firsthand.”

When hunting big game, an accompanying hunter must remain within arm’s length of the apprentice hunter or close enough to be able to immediately take control of the firearm or archery equipment of the apprentice.

Youth age nine or younger who hunt big game (deer, antelope or elk) are required to have hunter education.

Hunters 36 years of age and older are exempt from hunter education requirements in Oklahoma. Others exempt include those honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or members of the National Guard.

“The Wildlife Department has worked hard to provide more and better hunting opportunities,” Meek said. “Taking a hunter education course is still the best way to get the most opportunity from your hunting season. The class teaches you to hunt safely and allows you the most freedom when going afield.”

About 15,000 students enroll in hunter education courses each year. The course covers hunter responsibility, firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife management, survival, archery, muzzleloading and more.

Hunting licenses can be purchased at more than 800 outlets across the state, including Wal-Marts, sporting goods stores, tackle shops or online at wildlifedepartment.com. For more information about hunting licenses and hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

The apprentice-designated hunting license may be used for small game hunting as well. For more information, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

How to hunt deer with an apprentice-designated license

If you are a resident of Oklahoma, age 10-36, and have not completed a hunter education course but want to hunt during the deer gun season:

* Log on to wildlifedepartment.com or go to the nearest hunting license vendor and purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and the appropriate apprentice-designated deer license (buck and/or doe).

* Go hunting with a mentor age 21 or older who possesses a certificate of hunter ecudation or who is otherwise exempt from hunter education. Be sure to consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” for season dates, harvest limits and regulations.

* Be sure to stay within arm’s reach of your mentor, and enjoy hunting this season.

* As soon as possible, attend a hunter education course. Course schedules are available online at wildlifedepartment.com.

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