The Philomath Police Department and the Philomath Youth Activities Club will host a Hunter’s Education Field Day on Saturday, Aug. 22, giving young hunters a chance to complete hands-on training required for certification.
The event begins at 8 a.m. at Philomath Police’s training site near the wastewater lagoons (4702 Bellfountain Road) before moving to classroom work at 2 p.m. at PYAC (421 S. 19th St.).
The field day provides a practical evaluation for youth ages 10-18 who have completed an online hunter’s education course. Participants will review course topics, Oregon hunting regulations, ethics and conservation, and take part in firearm safety field exercises, a live-fire exercise and a multiple-choice written exam. To earn certification, students must demonstrate proficiency in skill, attitude and knowledge across all components.
Hands-on instruction will cover the five firearm actions, proper loading and unloading techniques including ammunition selection, safe muzzle control, managing firearm safety mechanisms and the four main safety rules — muzzle control, trigger, action and target. A trail walk will also let participants identify multiple species using ethical scenarios and safe practices.
Participants must have completed an online hunter’s education course before attending. A printed certificate of completion from an online course, or a completed home study workbook from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, is required at check-in.
Upon successful completion of the field day, students will receive a temporary orange hunter safety card for immediate use in the field, with hard card certification mailed within 60 days.
Registration is required through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Additional details, including what to bring and instructions for parents, are available at the same link.
For those with questions, email Mark Koeppe at PPD1104@comcast.net.