Allison Jackson hasn’t hunted for long, but she is excited to learn all about it.

“My dad hunts a lot,” the 14-year-old Bowling Green girl said. “I thought it would be interesting and fun.”

When Allison began showing interest in hunting, her father, Rick Jackson, suggested she take a Hunter Education Student Course.

“It’s the law that younger kids have to have this class so they can get their license,” he said.

Allison took the three-day, 10-hour course that went from Thursday through Saturday with a group of other youngsters ages 10 and up. On Saturday, the youths were taking their written tests and learning how to shoot correctly at the Warren County Coonhunters Club.

“We teach them hunter ethics, gun safety, bow hunting, the different types of guns and animal identification so they know what they’re out there hunting,” said Barbara Taylor, a course instructor. “Most of the parents will accompany them while they’re hunting, but they need to know what they’re doing and the reason they’re doing what they’re doing.”

They also learn about not pointing guns in the direction of another person and to respect those who don’t hunt, Taylor said.

“We want to make sure they’re safe when they’re shooting. The main thing is to prevent accidents,” she said. “We don’t want to alienate nonhunters. We always want to be respectful.”

The classes, which include in-classroom training, are given twice a year in the early spring and early fall. Similar courses are held in every county in Kentucky, Taylor said. She has been teaching the class for 15 years, and her husband, James Taylor, has been teaching it for 36 years.

“It is required in 46 states that you have your Hunter Orange Card,” she said. “It says they have the knowledge to be out there and be safe hunters.”

While some adults take the course, it’s mostly children, Barbara Taylor said.

“We do it mainly for the children. We want them to be safe,” she said. “We want them to pass their heritage on to their children. We try to make them aware of the outdoors because it’s free.”

James Taylor, a retired Warren County conservation officer, agreed.

“Every time you look out there, there are kids who need help,” he said.

Jeremiah Payne of Bowling Green said he has been hunting off and on for about 15 years. He wanted his children to take the class.

“I wanted them to learn to be responsible and safe,” he said.

Alexis Payne, 11, wasn’t able to attend this year, but she said she is looking forward to the next class. Her brother, Dilan Payne, 10, did take the class. He said shooting was his favorite part of the course.

“I like to hunt,” he said.

Jackson said he has been hunting for 25 years and had taken the same class 27 years ago. He sat in on the course with his daughter.

“We enjoyed the class. I’d like to thank the instructors for their knowledge,” he said. “I was interested in coming back. You can always learn.”

Allison agreed.

“I would recommend you take it if you’re interested in hunting,” she said.

Jackson said he plans to take Allison on her first hunting adventure during deer season. Allison is looking forward to being able to hunt.

“Soon,” she said, smiling, when asked when she’d like to go hunting. “The first chance I get.”

— For more information on upcoming courses, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website at http://fw.ky.gov.