HIGH-CALIBER EDUCATION SAFETY STRESSED IN LOCAL HUNTING HOW-TO CLASSES.

Byline: Bill Becher Special to the Daily News

SANTA CLARITA - Ten-year-old Ryan Davis needed to score at least an 80 on the hunter-education test to continue a family tradition and hunt with her father.

She is at the Oak Tree Gun Club taking a Department of Fish and Game hunter-education class sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited. Ryan, a blue-eyed blonde, gets straight A's and loves reading ``Harry Potter.'' She is also a dead shot with a .22-caliber, according to her mother. Ryan said she's not worried about the test.

All hunters, regardless of age, must be licensed in California. First-time buyers of hunting licenses must also pass a test. Most take the hunter-education classes, which cover ethics, wildlife conservation, proper firearm handling, survival and other skills new hunters need to safely enjoy their sport. At the end of the class, students take a 100-question exam.

``The main focus of the program is to make sure any hunter that's out in the field is as safe as possible,'' said Joe Gonzales, DFG hunter-education coordinator. Started in 1954, the program has cut the number of hunting accidents substantially, according to the DFG.

``Even though the number is low, we're striving to keep it at zero,'' Gonzales said. ``Related to other activities, the hunting sport has shown through its record that it's safe.''

This year, there have been no hunter deaths reported in California. Last year two hunters died in accidents, according to DFG statistics.

Some people take the course to learn gun safety with no intention of hunting, according to Gonzales. But starting in January the DFG course will not be accepted as a firearm safety certificate.

Handgun purchasers will need a separate California Department of Justice administered certificate.

Currently, about 20,000 people a year take the hunter-education class. While the numbers have been stable in recent years, they are down somewhat from the past.

``We are striving to keep the tradition of hunting alive,'' Gonzales said. ``Once someone experiences hunting it's something they remember for the rest of their lives and hopefully will pass it on to their families.''

Nearly half of the 48 students in the Santa Clarita class are under 18, suggesting the hunting tradition is being passed on in Southern California. Bob Sprague of Camarillo is here with his son, 10-year-old Mike. Bob Sprague grew up hunting quail in local mountains with his own father.

``We built an entire relationship out of hunting,'' said Sprague about his father. ``He's 86 and I'm going to take him deer hunting this October.''

Sprague said he has been eagerly awaiting the time when he can take his son hunting.

``I hope Mike will gain an appreciation for nature and how the chicken got on his plate - that animals don't come wrapped in a plastic bag in a supermarket,'' said Sprague, who likes hunting for the exercise and escape it provides.

``You get away from all your little problems from pagers and cell phones and you can think through the big parts of your life,'' Sprague said. ``For every animal you shoot, you see about 100. It's fun to look at them and get out there and breathe some nonsmog fresh air and not have to listen to traffic, boom boxes, or horns honking.''

The class watched videos on safe gun handling. One showed various hunting scenarios and asked, ``Shoot - don't shoot?`` The answer was no when what looked like a nice buck turned out to be a hunter carrying his kill.

``Don't carry deer over your shoulder,'' instructor Mike Eagen said. ``You might become a trophy yourself. Always drag deer.''

Where to find game and wildlife conservation are covered, as is a brief history of firearms, and a discussion and demonstration on the safe operation of shotguns and rifles.

After the lunch break there is an optional live fire session at the trap range. Students, some who've never fired a shotgun before, got five shots at clay pigeons. Then it's back to the classroom.

Properly dressing and storing game are covered in the class. The new hunters are reminded to be tactful and not strap a freshly killed buck to the hood of their car where it could offend nonhunters. Survival skills and first aid are also discussed as fathers, mothers, sons and daughters listen to the instructors, who are all volunteers.

``The heart of the program is the volunteer instructors,'' Gonzales said. ``They give up their own hunting time to teach others.''

At the end of the day Ryan Davis' father, Dennis, waits while his daughter takes the test. He said hunting provides his family ``time together in the outdoors and lots of food. We just had elk steak last night.''

It looks like there might be a new provider in the Davis household. When the tests are graded, Ryan Davis gets 99 out of 100 right. Next stop - a sporting goods store for a hunting license.

MORE INFO

--For more information about the Hunter Education program, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/

--A list of regularly scheduled classes in Southern California is at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/he-classes.html or call [phone].

--The Oak Tree Gun Club hunter-education class costs $30 for adults, $25 for juniors and includes lunch and five shots on the trap range - guns and ammo provided. For more information, call Derek Fong at [phone].

--Graduates of DFG hunter-education classes in Southern California receive a certificate entitling them to priority in the Family, Junior, and Woman's Special Pheasant Hunts offered for free as part of the DFG's Game Bird Heritage Program.

TEN COMMANDMENTS 

--Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

--Watch that muzzle! Be able to control the direction of the muzzle at all times.

--Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.

--Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger.

--Unload guns when not in use.

--Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.

--Never climb a fence or tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.

--Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or water.

--Store guns and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults.

--Avoid alcoholic beverages and mind-altering drugs before and during shooting.

Source: California Department of Fish and Game

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Craig McClurg talks about wildlife habitats at the hunter- education class sponsored by Santa Clarita Valley Quail Unlimited.

(2 -- color) Ryan Davis, 10, of Santa Clarita, looks through a pistol scope during her training in the hunter education class.

(3) Linday Rumsey, right, helps a student sight a shotgun at the Hunter Education class in Newhall.

Bill Becher/Special to the Daily News

Box:

(1) MORE INFO (see text)

(2) TEN COMMANDMENTS (see text)