Our Association conducts hunter education courses which have a strong emphasis on ethical behaviour, safety, conservation and management. We believe these programs to be of a high standard and of considerable value. They are considered to be of such significance that deer hunting authorities from overseas have been attendees, and have taken the concept back for application in their own countries. Officers from various Government departments often act as guest speakers [Police, National Parks and wildlife, Ambulance, Forestry].

Deer hunting is a very specialised and demanding recreation. To be successful, a great deal of expertise is required not only in understanding the deer and their environment but also in the safe and practical use of firearms. Deer hunting in Australia has had a very low incidence of firearms related injuries mainly because deerhunters are very experienced in the safe use of their weapons. It is most important that this good record remains.

If deerhunters injure themselves then the general public will become afraid that they may injure innocent bystanders and that will spell the end of deer hunting on public land. It is for this reason that the ADA places great emphasis on training and hunter education.

Branches run hunter education nights and weekend training trips. State Executive working groups organise sophisticated live-in hunter education courses and the National Executive sponsors useful publications such as this Handbook. At a more personal level, peer group pressure is applied to any hunter whose actions are suspect.