Michigan Hunter Safety

The Chick-Owa Sportsman’s Club in partnership with West Michigan Firearms Education and The Outdoor Discovery Center offers the Michigan Hunter Safety Course. In 2007, we added the IBEP Certification (International Bowhunter Education Program). We encourage parents to attend with their children, a parent in the classroom creates a support system for the students to learn everything they possibly can about being a safe, knowledgeable, and involved hunter.

Our Hunter Safety Program currently runs twice each year, late March (three sessions) and late September which also includes the IBEP Certification (six sessions), a late October class is being considered. We run the course during these times for various reasons. There are obvious draw backs, but there are many more benefits. They allow for the students and their parents to devote the necessary time needed to become a safe and educated hunter. By dividing the course into three and six sessions, the student receives the much needed time it takes to complete their homework from school and prepare for the next session of Hunter Safety and Archery Education. Our Hunter Safety and IBEP courses include live Firearms and Archery training. The live firearm/archery training allows the instructor and the parent to observe the student in a realistic setting. It also makes the student more comfortable with the idea of safe firearms/archery handling.

To register for the upcoming course or for more information, call Dan Van Dussen at 616-218-9513 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or The Outdoor Discovery Center at 393-WILD (9453)

Example SPRING HUNTER SAFETY (Total Hours = 10)

Session 1

Chapter 1: Intro to Hunter ED

Chapter 2: Know Your Firearm Equip.

Chapter 9: Wildlife Conservation

Session 2

Chapter 4: Basic Hunting Skills

Chapter 5: Primitive Hunting Equip.

Chapter 7: Be a Responsible & Ethical Hunter

Chapter 8: Preparation & Survival Skills

Session 3

Chapter 3: Basic Shooting Skills

Chapter 6: Be a Safe Hunter

Field Exercises with Firearms

Hunter Safety Test

Example FALL HUNTER SAFETY / BOWHUNTER SAFETY (Total Hours = 20)

Session 1
Chapter 1: Intro to Hunter ED
Chapter 9: Wildlife Conservation

Session 2
Chapter 7: Be a Responsible & Ethical Hunter
Chapter 2: Know Your Firearm Equip.

Session 3
Chapter 3: Basic Shooting Skills
Field Exercises with Firearms

Session 4
Chapter 4: Basic Hunting Skills
Chapter 5: Primitive Hunting Equip.

Session 5
Chapter 8: Preparation & Survival Skills
Chapter 6: Be a Safe Hunter
Hunter Safety & IBEP Combo Test

Session 6
Field Day for Bow hunter Safety

Bow hunter Safety

Session 1
Chapter 1: Intro to Bow hunting
Chapter 2: Wildlife Conservation

Session 2
Chapter 3: Safe & Responsible Bow hunting

Session 3

Chapter 7: Shot Placement & Recovery

Session 4
Chapter 4: Know Your Bow & Arrow
Chapter 5: Preparation before the Hunt

Session 5
Chapter 8: Outdoor Preparedness
Chapter 6: Use of Elevated Stands & other Equipment