Screenshots from the new How to hunt for deer and elk online course.Each fall, thousands of Oregonians head to the woods to hunt deer and elk for the chance to spend time with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors and for the game meat.

If you’ve ever wanted to join them, ODFW can help. ODFW’s new free online course, How to Hunt for Deer and Elk in Oregon, makes it easy to learn some of the basics.

The course was developed by ODFW and Oregon State University’s Professional and Continuing Education Department. It’s ideal for beginning adult big game hunters looking to learn at their own pace and covers all the topics they need to know, including:

• Regulations
• Licenses and tags
• Choosing a rifle or bow
• Other necessary gear and equipment
• Firearm safety
• Scouting
• Hunting techniques
• Shot placement
• Field care/meat preparation
• Glossary of hunting terms
• And more.

Viewers can go at their own pace, stop and start as needed, or skip ahead and just review the topics that interest them.

“This course is comprehensive, taking new hunters from what they need in terms of tags, gear, equipment all the way through to scouting, hunting techniques, taking a shot and butchering,” explains Chris Willard, ODFW recruitment and retention coordinator. “Unlike much how-to-hunt material available for adults, it’s also written with the total beginner in mind, and doesn’t assume the learner has experience hunting.

Summer is also the right time to learn about firearm safety, practice shooting and shot placement, and scout for deer and elk before the season begins,” Willard added. “This course can help you do all these things and be ready for fall hunting season this year.”

The course complements other ODFW efforts to help adults learn how to hunt or fish, including workshops throughout the year, species specific how-to-hunt material and an online-only certified hunter education class for adults. Also this year, ODFW is hosting the Take a Friend Hunting Contest where mentors who agree to take new and returning hunters out can enter to win prizes.

“Historically, most hunters learned how to hunt from their parents and relatives when they were kids, but that’s changing,” Willard added. “Interest in hunting as a way to fully experience the outdoors and as a source for healthy, natural meat is increasing among adults who didn’t grow up hunting.”

The course is narrated by Cody Herman, a fishing and hunting guide who is also the host of Day One Outdoors show which airs on Comcast Sportsnet. Outdoor TV show host Scott Haugen also plays a role in the course. 

Last year, about 160,000 people went deer hunting and 104,000 people went elk hunting in Oregon. Most seasons occur in fall, with Western Oregon general rifle deer season kicking off on Sept. 30, 2017.

More about the Oregon State University Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)
OSU’s PACE team provides online and on-site education and technology solutions for organizations and individual learners. In addition to offering a catalog of web-based offerings for outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners, PACE develops customized programs and applications in subjects ranging from web development and human resources to corporate team training and more. Learn more at pace.oregonstate.edu.