None of the fatalities had taken an Alaska certified hunter education course. The HIT basic hunter education certificate is valid in any state where hunter education is required to purchase a license. Basic hunter education classes are taught by dedicated volunteer instructors who commit valuable time and expertise to providing instruction to over 1000 Alaskans of all ages each year. Hunter Education certification classes are typically 20 to 24 hours taught over a two-week period. To be accepted on a national basis, each hunter education course must focus on firearms safety in the field, hunter ethics and responsibility, and principles of wildlife conservation.
Many classes offer live fire exercises as a part of the curriculum.
The HIT program offers basic hunter education classes tailored to youth under the age of 17, families, and adults. In addition to the basic hunter education certification, the HIT program offers Alaskan hunters opportunities to become certified bow and muzzleloader hunters. Bow hunting classes certify more than 800 Alaskan hunters each year. Many draw hunts near urban areas are for bowhunting only and hunters may not draw a tag unless they have successfully completed a bow hunting certification course approved by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Muzzleloaders also have the opportunity to take a muzzleloading hunter certification course developed by the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.