Iron County youth, new hunters learn safety skills at Camp Gibbs

Iron County youth and new hunters spent four required sessions learning how to stay safe before they head into the woods this fall. The 2026 hunter safety program met April 28, 29 and 30 at West Iron County High School, then finished with a field day May 2 at Camp Gibbs.

The training was more than a classroom requirement. Conservation officers and instructors walked students through basic survival techniques, proper tourniquet use, hearing protection, safe firearm handling over an obstacle, firearm safety mechanisms, tree stand safety and bow use. At the Ojibway Archery Range, students practiced under supervision instead of simply listening to lectures, giving them hands-on experience with the kind of situations they are likely to face in the field.

Certification matters in Michigan. Hunter safety certification is mandatory beginning at age 12, and state law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, to complete an approved hunter education course to buy a hunting license. First-time hunters in that age group cannot purchase a base license without proof of hunter education, except when using an apprentice license.

That legal framework explains why Iron County families treat the class as a practical step, not a formality. Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidance says hunter education is commonly offered in spring ahead of turkey season or in fall before firearm deer season, which matches the timing of the Iron County sessions. The department also says recreational safety education is intended to promote safe, responsible and ethical use of natural resources while reducing outdoor recreation-related accidents and wildlife violations.

The field day at Camp Gibbs ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and pre-registration was required. Families who still need follow-up details can contact Anthony Dallavalle by call or text at 906-367-0128.

Camp Gibbs has also become a familiar site for shooting-sports activity in Iron County, with Ojibway Archery Range hosting tournaments and other events. For local hunters, that makes the site an established place to learn the habits that matter most: controlled movement, safe equipment handling and the discipline needed before a license is ever used in the woods.