I had the opportunity to hunt in Missouri this past season and when we went to purchase our license we needed to provide our PA Hunter Safety Certificate number, as it turns out no ones certificate had a number on it. In the spirit of full disclosure I did not have my certificate from 1979. I had looked into getting a replacement but could not get it turned around before the hunt. I had been told they would be able to by pass the problem using my SS # but that didn't work either. We ended up being able to use a Apprentice License issued from Missouri as long as we hunted with a Licensed Missouri hunter, since this was a waterfowl hunt it was easy to accommodate the requirement and pay the extra money. I have since returned and took an online course and now have a number if I ever need one. If you turned 12 before 1967, this doesn't affect you btw.
Now the reason for the question, can anyone tell me or show me what the certificate looked like in 1979 ? I attended an all day class at a local VFW, passed a written test and received my signed Hunter Safety Card, I remember showing it to purchase my license for a couple years but can't remember what happened to it at this point. The PALS system PA uses just retrieves your info from previous years so no proof required. I would love to try and find my original Certificate, just need to know what Im looking for.
I ran into this problem getting a license in MD - the second time. The first time, the guy said it was no big deal that I didn't have it and sold me a license. The following year, a different guy explained that what actually happened was that the guy last year checked a box which essentially said that I had completed the HS course, but since I couldn't provide proof at the time of purchase, I would carry the proof with me while hunting. Further, if I didn't have proof on me and I was stopped, it would be considered hunting without a license and I could possibly have my gun and truck confiscated. Wow - wish I had known that the first time! I went home and found an old wallet, which luckily held my hunter safety card from 1991.
I remember using the HSC to get my first license and, from then on, using the previous year's license to get the new one. Up until PALS, of course.
To answer your question about the certificate, I don't know. I don't recall getting anything other than a card and an orange hat after the HS course. Maybe in Missouri they issue a "certificate" instead of a card? I only had to show my card, which does not have any number on it, so I'm not sure what the selling agent recorded in my case.
The best that I can remember, in 1979, you would have received a 2" x 3" card (fluorescent orange on one side, white on the other), with your name & DoB, and the signature of the Hunter Education instructor.
Curious as well. I took my course in 1999 and my card doesn't have any # on it either, just the date completed. I've successfully gotten licenses in WV, NY, MD, VA, CO, ID, and applied in UT, and NM without issue.
I took my Hunter Ed course in 1961, since then on the rare occations I was asked, I just presented a previous years hunting/trapping lisence and I was grandfathered. That's how it went 7 years ago when I moved into Pa.
The cards were blue for a number of years and I think that was the color in 1977 and into the early 80's. Then I think they went to orange on one side and white on the other and eventually to orange on both sides.
Until just the past year or two there was no student identification number but all states still accepted them on sight. For those that needed a number to pre-purchase a non-resident license they could contact the HTE Bureau in Harrisburg and they would give them a number.
Now I believe all new students do get a student identification number issued directly from Harrisburg.
Perhaps one of the other instructors can speak more on today's number process.
As important as hunting is to me Im almost ashamed to say I dont know what happened to my card. My dad still lives in the house I grew up in and I am only on my 2nd home since moving out. I should be able to locate it but I dont even know where to start looking, I am terrible at keeping things I dont need and yet here I am with no clue what may have happened to it.
I took the course online & received a nice wallet sized card with a number when I returned from Missouri so in the future it shouldn't be a problem. I am just hopeful of finding the Original is all.
Thanks to all for taking the time to read & respond !!!
Well this intrigues me since i took my hunter education in Alabama during high school and there is no number on the card. Luckily i still have the card so its easy to provide but dont want an issue when i go out of state again.
Did my hunter safty in 1975 and the card has been excepted in every state Ive hunted in And a friend hads the replacement and his has been excepted also
we have been in the west and midwest hunting many states
I took my hunter safety course in 1979 also and the card was blue with no numbers. I do know some states if you apply for a limited entry tag online want a number. If you do not have a number you can not apply for the tag. I also took the online course and was issued a plastic card with a number on it. At least now if you loose the card your information is kept and you can easily receive a replacement.
I took hunter safety at Boy Scout summer camp sometime around 1965 or so. Was told at the time that was the first year it was offered.
Anyone know when this program started?
I have since taken the course four times with my kids.
It was in place when I took it in 1966 but the three of us [big class] had our picture in the paper with the WCO @ Easton Fish and Game; so it was still quite new and I remember it being required the next year. I recall there were more adults there during the class and it wasn't as polished as it is today.
Easy way to get a durable replacement or permanent card. Bad part is that is a ays that you’ve had to taken it in 1987 or more recent to be in the database.
few years ago I ran into the issue buying a NC license on-line ... called and was told to put "No Number" or something like that in the space that asked for a number.
A couple guys that i went with bought one in person at wallyworld and had a hard time because they didn't have their cards or numbers on their cards ... even when they presented current year's licenses for NY and PA.
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