§183D-28 Hunter education program. (a) The department shall establish a hunter education program to provide instruction in hunter safety, principles of conservation, and sportsmanship. Upon successful completion of the program, the department shall issue to the graduate a hunter education certificate which shall be valid for the life of the person. This certification shall be rescinded by judicial action upon the conviction of a wildlife and/or firearms violation. No person shall be eligible for a hunting license unless the person possesses a valid hunter education certificate or meets the requirements for exemption provided in subsection (b)(2), and is either:

(1) Born after December 31, 1971; or

(2) Born before January 1, 1972, and has never been issued a hunting license in the State.

(b) A person who meets the minimum age requirements adopted pursuant to subsection (c) shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) if the person:

(1) Was born before January 1, 1972, and at one time possessed a hunting license issued by the State; provided that the person shows satisfactory proof to the department that the person had possessed the hunting license; or

(2) Has successfully completed a course or program of hunter education and safety which is approved by the International Hunter Education Association and meets the requirements of chapter 12 of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid Manual, as revised; provided that the person shows satisfactory proof in the form of a certificate, wallet card, or other document issued by a state, province or country evidencing successful completion of the course or program.

Upon application and satisfaction of the requirements of paragraph (1), the department shall issue a written exemption which shall be valid for the life of the person. The department shall develop and maintain a list of approved hunter education courses described in paragraph (2) for reference by the public and license agents.

(c) The department, by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, shall establish minimum age requirements for issuance of the hunter education certificate, or the exemption therefrom, required to obtain a hunting license pursuant to section 183D-22(a)(3).

(d) The department may establish a hunter education officer position to administer the program, outline all phases of instruction, conduct general supervision of individual programs, and distribute information on the program, or may contract the program to a qualified organization.

(e) The department may construct, operate, and maintain public outdoor and indoor target ranges for the program.

(f) The department shall prepare reports as may be necessary to seek approval under Public Law 91-503 for federal assistance in this program of hunter safety, conservation, and sportsmanship. [L 1985, c 174, pt of §4; am L 1989, c 96, §2; am L 1991, c 176, §1; am L 1992, c 127, §2; am L 1999, c 224, §2]

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