Was hunting a hobby of yours back in the states? Have you been wondering how to get back into it during your time in Germany? Well, just because you live in Germany doesn’t mean the option isn’t open to you.

However, though hunting in Germany is a great experience, getting the license necessary to do so is usually not an easy task. Getting a license requires long and expensive classes, difficult exams, shooting tests, hunting permits and a lot of paperwork — all in German. It’s quite an ordeal, but this is where the Kaiserslautern Rod & Gun Club comes into play.

“We offer two hunting courses a year through the Kaiserslautern Rod & Gun Club. The course is 10 weeks long and is usually offered January through March and sometime in the fall, usually October to December,” said manager Christopher E. Hodges. “Students will be taught the German theories on hunting, and they have to pass a written and verbal exam.”

Also, students will visit a local hunting area, or “Revier,” and learn practical applications, such as how to disembowel the different game found in Europe.

As they will be required to qualify in three different shooting disciplines (rifle, pistol and shotgun), all students have to do firearms training. While in the course, students utilize rental weapons from the Kaiserslautern Rod & Gun Club. After completion of the class, participants will be able to purchase weapons for hunting.

Afterward, the newly qualified hunter has a few options for hunting in Germany. First, it is possible to rent a seat from the German forestry department. The second option is to be invited to join a local hunting area because, in Germany, each owner has their own stipulations on usage. So hunting rights belong to the landowner. Third, you can book a hunt through the Hunting, Fishing, Sport Shooting program office. In all cases, the Rod & Gun Club will be happy to help.

However, before applying, check if you are eligible to get your hunting license in Germany through the Rod & Gun Club.

“This applies only to members of U.S. and Canadian forces who have SOFA status,” Hodges said. “If a dependent is a local national of a European country, then they have to go through the certification from their respective country.”

To take part, applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of taking the final exam of the hunting course. Once you sign up you will be given an FBI background check form, and it must be completed prior to the start of the training.

From learning new, exciting skills, to collecting new found knowledge on nature to making new friends on or off post, the hunting course is broadening the horizon, and there is more to it.

“All of this information is just a snapshot of the total picture,” Hodges said. “If you have questions about hunting, fishing and sport shooting in Germany, please come into the Kaiserslautern Rod & Gun Club.”

The club is located on Vogelweh, Bldg. 422. For more information, call 489-7274 or 0631-536-7274).

More information can also be found online at www.86fss.com/index.php/sports-and-recreation/outdoor-recreation/rod-a-gun-club.