The Utah Hunter’s Education Program, which became mandatory in 1960, is the result of a partnership between volunteers and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to help hunters in Utah to become better, more responsible hunters. This is accomplished by the hunters being furnished with the information needed for them to become hunters who are safe, responsible, knowledge and to become involved in the sport of hunting. The proof that this program works is evident each year as the hunting season closes and the decline in hunting related incidents continues.
According to the State Law in Utah, any person born later than December 31, 1965 who is interested in purchasing a hunting license must show proof of the completion of a hunter education course. The law does not specify that this must be the Utah Hunter’s Education Program, but can be from any other state wildlife agency. But, if this hunter is a resident of Utah who completed a hunter education course in a state other than Utah, then they must trade their card for a Utah hunter education card before they can buy a resident hunting license. This law is in place to reduce the number of hunting related incidents, which it has done and continues to do today.
Hunters needing to complete the Utah Hunter’s Education Program must visit a Division of Wildlife Resource office or contact a license agent in order to get a voucher for this program. After receiving a voucher, the hunter will register for the course they choose to participate in by contacting the Utah Division of Wildlife Resource and locating a hunter education instructor and course date they are interested in attending. After registering for the course, the hunter will attend the course they chose with their voucher and a ten dollar fee to give to the instructor. Now the hunter is ready to learn more about firearm safety, wildlife management, wildlife identification, hunter responsibility, survival and first aid. Hunters are required to attend all meetings, which usually lasts a minimum of 12 hours and can run upto 15 hours. This is spread over several weeks and is held at night and a field course. If a hunter anticipates that they may be unable to attend a traditional classroom hunter education program, they have the option to take the program on the internet. This option has two parts: the online part and the field course where the hunter will experience hands-on exercises with firearms. The hunter will be expected to take a final exam with either option they choose and must pass it before they will be issued their certificate.
Once a hunter has successfully completed all aspects of the Utah Hunter’s Education Program, which entails passing the written exam an attitude test and a shooting proficiency exercise, the hunter will receive their certificate of completion. In Utah, this is known as a blue card and is required before buying a license. These hunters will also get a 365-day Small Game License for free which allows them to hunt small game as well.
