California DFW to Offer Black Powder Hunting Clinic in Merced County

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Advanced Hunter Education Program will offer a black powder hunting clinic on April 27. The clinic will be held at the River Oaks Range in Winton (Merced County).

Designed for all skill levels, the clinic will include both lecture and live-fire exercises. The lecture portion will include a short history of black powder shooting, different styles of black powder rifles used today, how to safely load and shoot a black powder rifle, laws and regulations pertaining to black powder hunting and strategies for hunting with black powder firearms. The live-fire exercise will include target shooting with black powder firearms.

The clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $45 for adults. Youths 16 years and younger are free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Space is limited to 25 people, so advance online registration is required. The registration form is available online atwww.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/marksmanship.aspx.

CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education Program will provide all necessary class equipment. Registered participants will receive an email with a map to the facility and a list of items to bring. All course material and black powder firearms will be provided. Please note that personal firearms should not be brought to this clinic.

The River Oaks Range is seven miles north of Atwater.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats. The department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses. The department also utilizes its law enforcement division to prevent and stop illegal poaching.