There are many hunters who wish to know whether a particular organization or company is a primary supporter of hunter education. The truth is that there are some corporations that support hunting, but they do not have anything to do with the hunter conservation cause. It is hard to come up with a specific way to tell if a corporation is a good supporter of the cause, but if you put together a list of them, it may be easy to make a determination. Just look for those companies that sell products used by hunters, like bullets and scopes. Look at websites that sell camouflage and other hunting gear.
When you talk to hunters, the majority will say that they would appreciate it if the organizations which promote hunting were not only a primary supporter of hunter education courses, but that they were a primary source of their gear. After all, hunters rely on the products used by these companies. With that in mind, if you find a website promoting duck and bear hunting gear and a site that sells high-quality bullets, chances are good that the corporation which promotes hunting is a primary source. In fact, it may be one of the major contributors.
The question then becomes, which group is a primary supporter of hunter education courses?
How can you find out, besides checking with your state wildlife agencies and private corporations? The short answer is, you can’t. The reason is that every single organization and corporation have a different agenda. Some are strictly interested in raising funds, some in preserving the species, some in conservation, and others in public relations.
No matter what group they are aligned with, all hunters benefit from good marksmanship training. There is no substitute for a good hunter with good marksmanship skills. However, there is a good chance that any given organization or corporation will only promote one type of hunter education course. For example, while some will support certification for specialized hunters, such as elk hunters, there will probably be no place for an aspiring duck or bear hunter to get a certification to hunt these animals.
Some hunters may only have access to a good marksmanship guide, such as a How-To book. While these guides will not necessarily be packed with secrets, knowing a few fundamentals will help a hunter learn more about how to hunt these animals properly. On the other hand, some companies only offer a basic knowledge of hunting wildlife and will give no advice or help to someone looking to improve their skills. Neither of these options is bad, but neither one is a good option for a hunter who wants to become more skilled at hunting.
The main difference between a good guide and a poor one is whether or not the information is presented in an organized, concise, and interesting way. The information presented should be easily understood and implemented by the hunter. It is also important that the guide is supported by hunters in the local area. These are the hunters who most need the guidance and participation of a guide like this.
