(Chelsea Update would like to thank Rick Taylor for this story and the photo.)
I’ve been a member of the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club for many years, primarily for the use of their spectacular archery and numerous firearm ranges; both indoor and outdoor. And, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the comradry, respect and friendships I’ve experienced.
Since my boys are getting older, I knew it was time for them to get their “Hunters Safety Certificate” and I took them to Rod and Gun Club, which was holding this class, as they’ve done for so many years.
The class takes place over two days and includes outdoor instruction shooting with both a .22 caliber rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun by trained professionals.
There’s even a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer to discuss various aspects of legal hunting practices and how to promote a safe hunting environment in the woods. Other aspects of the class include video training on how to avoid the pitfalls of unsafe hunting practices along with how to properly gut a deer after it’s been harvested.
I was so impressed by level of professionalism of the instructors. There were 12 certified instructors whose career paths were as diverse as one could imagine – a retired FBI agent, retired police, retired military, retired teacher to an engineer. With a number of other professions in between.
The students, both young and old, paid close attention throughout the course. About half the class was young boys. The rest, a surprisingly large group of young women and adults — including an Asian couple who spoke with broken English but who successfully completed the class. I bring this up because the class was so diverse in so many ways from age, to gender and race.
So many things impressed me, but what humbled me more than anything was the fact that every instructor did this on their own time. Yes, they were volunteering their time and not making a dime.
The class only cost $10 per person and I honestly don’t know if that minimal charge even covered the cost of the free ammunition used or classroom books we kept to take home after the class concluded.
Every student passed the final exam consisting of 50 questions that challenged the most studious participants, myself included.
I think taking a Hunters Safety Course is a great idea for everyone — even if you don’t plan to hunt. This course enlightens you, it teaches you the facts regarding firearms and archery — rather than the assumptions that some people may have about firearms.
There’s a large contingent of people who are afraid of firearms because they don’t know anything about them — except for what they see on TV. Getting past those stereotypes is the first step in becoming informed.
So, think about sending your child, or go yourself, to a Hunter’s Safety Class at the Rod and Gun Club. It’s an opportunity to shoot a firearm with a trained professional instructing you under controlled conditions.
I love my kids so much that I made them take this class and they’re better for it.
I’d like to sincerely thank the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club for volunteering their building, professional instructors and their free time to all of us.
Finally, you can contact the Chelsea Community Ed at 433-2208 to sign up for upcoming Hunter Safety Classes.
Nice article Rick. The club pays for all other costs including guns, ammo and other materials. The $10 is paid to Chelsea Ed for them to sign up the students