ODON — Local residents looking to hit the woods this year have a prime opportunity to earn their required certification. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced an upcoming Hunter Education Course to be held from March 30 through April 2, 2026, at the Simon J. Graber Building in Odon.
The sessions will run nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will be led by Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) Caden Graber, who was recently honored as the 2025 District 7 Officer of the Year.
In Indiana, safety is more than just a recommendation—it’s the law. Anyone born after December 31, 1986, is required to successfully complete a certified Hunter Education Course before they are eligible to purchase an Indiana hunting license.
Taught by experienced volunteer instructors and Conservation Officers, the 12-hour curriculum is designed to create responsible, ethical, and safe outdoorsmen and women. The course will cover a wide range of essential topics, including:
- Firearm Safety: Proper handling, storage, and cleaning of various firearms.
- Hunter Ethics: Respect for landowners, wildlife, and fellow hunters.
- Conservation Management: Understanding the “North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.”
- Game Identification: Learning to distinguish between legal game and protected species.
- Specialized Safety: Dedicated units on archery and the critical importance of tree stand safety, a leading cause of hunting-related injuries.
Registration and Contact Info
The course is free of charge, but pre-registration is mandatory as space is limited. Interested participants can sign up online at register-ed.com.
For those who cannot attend the in-person Odon sessions, the DNR also offers an interactive online-only course (for a fee) via hunter-ed.com, though experts note that the in-person format provides invaluable hands-on demonstrations and direct access to local officers.
For additional questions regarding the Odon course, please contact the District 7 Headquarters at 812-789-9538.
