OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that mandatory hunter education courses are likely to fill up soon. Fish and Wildlife urged prospective hunters to take classes soon.

“If you haven’t already completed your hunter education course, don’t delay,” said Dave Whipple, Fish and Wildlife’s hunter education section manager. “Our fall course offerings fill quickly with people trying to certify before their chosen hunting seasons.”

According to the announcement, Fish and Wildlife offers fully in-person hunter education courses as well as hybrid courses that combine online and in-person learning. The release said the traditional classroom course, which is typically taught over multiple evenings and includes a field portion, is highly recommended. The hybrid course combines successful completion of an online course followed by a field skills evaluation where students receive hands-on training and evaluation by certified instructors, according to the release.

Per Washington state law, all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 must complete a hunter education course in order to buy a hunting license. The announcement stated that a hunter education deferral is available for hunters 10 years of age and older who want to try hunting with an eligible licensed hunter before completing a course themselves.

For more information or to register for a course, visit bit.ly/HuntingCourses.