State Rep. Curt VanderWall this week championed the final passage of his plan to allow local school districts to offer a hunter safety course as an elective. Completion of the class, which is also commonly called a firearm safety course, is required for first time hunters attempting to purchase a base hunting license.

“In a time when fewer people are becoming hunters, it’s great to see both Republicans and Democrats support my effort to give students the opportunity to safely learn about firearms and hunting during the school day,” said VanderWall, R-Ludington. “This legislation makes it easier for young people to earn a hunting license while learning firearm safety in a structured school environment.”

House Bill 4285 directs the Michigan Department of Education to work with the Department of Natural Resources to develop a model firearm safety course. The course, offered as part of physical education or as an extracurricular option, must meet DNR safety standards and be taught by certified hunter education instructors.

Under the bill, no firearms or ammunition would be allowed on school property during instruction. The course content would include safe handling, cleaning and maintenance, types of firearms, and safe hunting practices. Parents or guardians may opt their child out of the course without any academic penalty.

“A key part of this plan is allowing schools to decide whether or not to offer the course,” VanderWall said. “It’s completely reasonable to assume that a school in Ann Arbor may want to offer drastically different electives than one in Ludington. But for our Northern Michigan communities, giving kids an opportunity to take this course during school hours instead of having to schedule something in the evenings or on a Saturday will make it easier for young people to get involved in hunting.”

If a school district decides not to offer this course, a student could still take the course for credit in a neighboring school district that does offer the course if they have a cooperative education program as outlined under Michigan’s School Aid Act.

The legislation comes amid a nationwide decline in hunting participation and rise in Michigan’s deer population, and it aims to increase access to education that supports both safety and conservation efforts.

The legislation now moves to the governor’s desk, where it will await her signature.

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