State Rep. Parker Fairbairn this month supported final passage of legislation allowing local school districts to offer hunter education as an elective course. Completion of the course, commonly referred to as hunter safety, is required for first-time hunters seeking to purchase a base hunting license.

“Hunting is a pastime enjoyed by my family and so many others in Northern Michigan,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “Unfortunately, as costs rise and fewer people participate in outdoor recreation, we’ve seen a concerning decline in hunters. By offering hunter safety as a school elective, we’re giving young people a safe, accessible way to learn and pursue that interest without unnecessary barriers.”

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

“Under this plan, we’ll treat hunter safety like any other school elective or afterschool activity,” Fairbairn said. “It won’t be much different than taking band or machine shop, except that students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to purchase a base hunting license. We’re creating an outdoor recreation pipeline that connects interested students with the knowledge and training they need to safely join Michigan’s hunting tradition.”

If a school district chooses not to offer the course, students may still earn credit by enrolling through a neighboring district that does offer the program, provided the districts participate in a cooperative education arrangement under Michigan’s School Aid Act.

The legislation comes amid a nationwide decline in hunting participation and a 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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