West Michigan Firearms Education has provided the instruction for our Hunter Safety Program since we began to offer it. West Michigan Firearms Education, The Chick-Owa Sportsman’s Club, and The Outdoor Discovery Center became partners in offering The Michigan Hunter Safety Course in 2005. In 2007, we added the IBEP Certification (International Bow Education Program).
   Our Hunter Safety Program currently runs twice each year, mid April and late October. It also includes IBEP Certification. We run the course during these times for various reasons. There are obvious draw backs, but there are many more benefits. One benefit of the late October Course is that fall sports have concluded. This allows for the students and their parents to devote the necessary time needed to become a safe and educated hunter. Obviously, you do not want to wait until the last minute to sign up and take the course.
   We also run a six session course with live Firearms and Archery Training and parents are welcome to attend. By dividing the course into 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. The live firearm 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 handling. The parent in the classroom creates a support system for the students to continue to learn everything they possibly can about being a safe, knowledgeable, and involved hunter.

Spring 2008 Course starts April 15. Class times include:                                                                                                                            

Tuesday, April 15 from 5:30pm until 8:30pm

Thursday, April 17 from 5:30pm until 8:30pm

Saturday, April 19 from 9:00am until 1:00pm

Monday, April 22 from 5:30pm until 8:30pm

Wednesday, April 18 from 5:30pm until 8:30pm

Saturday, April 26 from 9:00am until 1:00pm

   To register for the upcoming course, call The Outdoor Discovery Center at 393-WILD (9453) or for more information, call Tom Medendorp, the Chief Firearms Instructor from West Michigan Firearms Education, at (616) 772-6943 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it