Registration deadline extended for free Hunter Education Jamboree

YAKIMA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has extended the deadline through May 25 to register for a Hunter Education Jamboree.

The jamboree, scheduled June 6-7 in Yakima County, offers prospective hunters who have completed online hunter education coursework an opportunity to complete field skills requirements. The original registration deadline was set to expire May 15.

Field skills requirements include a review of the online course content, including safety, firearms, first-aid and conservation topics, as well as hands-on firearm handling and live fire practice.

The Jamboree will take place at the Boy Scouts of America Camp Fife, 8370 Bumping River Road, near Goose Prairie, south of Bumping Lake. Three field skills sessions will be offered: Saturday, June 6, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1- 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 7, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Each of the three sessions can accommodate up to 100 pre-registered students. The Jamboree will be conducted by WDFW hunter education coordinators and over 30 volunteer instructors from all over the state, said Aaron Garcia, WDFW south central region hunter education and volunteer coordinator.

For more information on registration, and to register, visit the following webpages:

June 6 morning class, (http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/59433 ),

June 6 afternoon class, (http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/59434 ),

June 7 morning class, (http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/59435 ).

Garcia notes there are many campgrounds in the area for use by those who want to arrive the night before a registered session.

All prospective Washington hunters born after January 1, 1972 are required to show proof of hunter education course completion before purchasing their first hunting license. To learn more about online hunter education courses and the field skills requirement, new hunters can visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/ .