WIESBADEN, Germany - New to Germany and not sure how to start hunting, fishing or sport shooting?
Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation is your one-stop shop for that and more. With their Hunting, Fishing and Sports Shooting Program, you'll find a host of classes, tips and guidance aimed at preparing you to enjoy your favorite outdoor pastimes while serving in Europe.
The German government permits the U.S. Forces in Europe to conduct courses that allow U.S. Forces personnel to qualify for a foreigner's hunting license, fishing license and/or recreational sport shooting certification in Germany. Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation hosts U.S. Forces Hunting, Fishing and Sport Shooting courses throughout the year.
Upcoming classes in early 2018 include a U.S. Forces German Fishing Course Jan. 18-21, a U.S. Forces Sport Shooting Course Jan. 25-27 and a U.S. Forces German Hunting Course Feb. 6 to April 28.
The main emphasis of the hunting, fishing, and sport shooting courses is to learn German laws and traditions that are a bit more thorough when compared with licensing requirements in the United States, according to officials.
Training in safety, game identification and overall procedures provides hunters, fishers, and sport shooters with knowledge and abilities to become more well-rounded in their outdoor experiences.
After gaining certification, U.S. Forces personnel may obtain German hunting/fishing licenses and join in hunting and fishing traditions that go back several hundred years.
"People who want to experience the highlights of hunting in Germany will appreciate the long traditions observed by German hunters," said Al Klaver, Wiesbaden Hunting, Fishing and Sport Shooting program manager.
"New hunters are welcomed into the fold with the traditional Jägerschlag knighting ceremony," said Klaver. "During the first stroke in the knighting ceremony the hunter is anointed, followed by successive strokes intended to give one the strength to always conduct the hunt righteously and to never break the Hunter's Code of Honor.
"This special age-old ceremony acknowledges their having successfully completed the rigorous training required to hunt while in Germany and celebrates their great accomplishment by other hunters in the guild," Klaver explained.
Wiesbaden hunting and fishing enthusiasts might also want to join Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation for a trip to Dortmund, Germany, on Feb. 2, 2018, to visit the largest hunting, dog, fish and fishing exhibition in Germany.
U.S. Forces sport shooting certification enables U.S. Forces personnel to buy and possess firearms that they may use for enjoying training and competition during their assignment in Germany.
Outdoor Recreation also hosts a recreational shooting program with various dates at the JMTC Range in nearby Wackernheim. Firearms are available for rent. Ranges include handgun plus 100-, 200- and 300-meter rifle.
Hearing and eye protection must be worn on all ranges -- and participants must be at least age 18 -- or age 16-18 with a parent or guardian present, Klaver said.
Other regular outdoor adventures offered by Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation include everything from ski and snowboard trips to skydiving, mountain biking, paintball and whitewater rafting.
Upcoming outdoor adventures include a Thanksgiving Ski Trip to Zermatt, Switzerland, on Nov. 21-25; and Black Forest Ski/Snowboard Expresses on Feb. 3 and March 3.
Outdoor Recreation also hosts special holiday trips to Germany's famed Christmas markets -- on Dec. 2 to Cologne, Dec. 9 to Michelstadt and Dec. 16 to Heidelberg.
For more information on hunting, fishing, sport shooting and other outdoor adventures, stop by the Wiesbaden Sports, Fitness and Outdoor Recreation Center in Building 1631 on Clay Kaserne or call civ (0611) 143-548-9830 or -9801.
Social Sharing