Harrisville State Park offers hunters safety

Alcona County residents will have a chance to receive free hunter safety certification through a course hosted by Harrisville State Park.

For the second year, the state park is hosting the course at 8 a.m., Sept. 13-14. Dan Mullen, the state park's supervisor, said he decided to start having the park offer the course after being encouraged by his division to come up with other special events.

"Hunting has such a tradition in Michigan. It fit in nicely with the (Department of Natural Resources') mission," he said. "I thought it would make a nice special event at the park and help promote the safety of hunting and get additional people involved in the sport of hunting."

Last year was considered successful, so Mullen decided to offer it again. He hopes to offer it annually.

"We had 118 people get certified last year. We had over 200 people attend the classes between the instructors, students and parents. We encourage parents to come along even if they're not going to be taking the class," he said.

Saturday's class will take place at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 116 S. State St. in Harrisville. Field applications will take place on Sunday at the state park.

Mullen said participants will go through a variety of applications including field safety with firearms, compass course, tree stand safety, deer tracking, learning how to properly shoot a .22-rim fire rifle and proper archery techniques.

Successful participants will become certified in both hunter education and International Bowhunter Education Program. The IBEP certification is not required in Michigan but is in some other states. Children between the ages of 10 and 16 who score 100 percent on the hunter education test will receive a free junior hunting license and sport card license, sponsored by the Lincoln Outdoor Center.

The event is supported through community organizations and businesses. These sponsors include Michigan 4-H of Alcona County, Northeastern Window and Door, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Glennie Sportsman's Club, Iosco Sportsmens Club, Northeast Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International, St. Anne Catholic Church, Lincoln Outdoor Center and DNR law enforcement and park and recreation divisions, Mullen said.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided to participants through Quality Deer Management Association's North East Michigan Branch, Mr. Ed's IGA, Pepsi-Cola and the Flour Garden.

Mullen said there's no charge for the class, but participants are being encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item towards the Sportsmen Against Hunger organization. People are encouraged to register ahead of time.

"We're going to cut it off at 120 people," he said. "We'll take reservations as long as we have openings. We've got over 30 signed up already."

Contact the state park at 724-5126 for more information or to place a reservation for the hunter education course.

Patty Ramus can be reached via e-mail at pramus@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.