Its 6:30 in the morning, and the line is beginning to form.

They climb out of their cars and slowly walk to the table where they wait to sign in. The air is chilly, but they don’t seem to notice as they stand in their camouflage shirts. It is nearly hunting season and they are ready to get the season started. Hunter safety courses are now in session.

Hunter safety courses are given to teach individuals safe hunting practices. During the course, hunters are taught ethics, conservation and proper firearms use.

“I just took my first hunters safety course,” said Josh King, a first time hunter. “It was over the course of two days. I learned a lot, but I am just ready to get out there and hunt.”

Hunter safety classes are required for all hunters over the age of 16 in the state of Kansas.

In Kansas, bow season opens Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 31. Archery season is currently the longest running hunting season in Kansas.

“With bow season being so long, you really get the chance to make the most out of your hunting season,” said Charlie Browne, an avid Kansas hunter. “The average bow hunter will get about one buck and three doe each season.”

Bow hunting offers hunters the opportunity to get closer to the animals that they are hunting.

“When you are bow hunting, you have to be a lot more accurate than when you are rifle hunting,” said Browne. “A bow just isn’t as powerful.”

For a Kansas resident a bow permit costs $32.50 and the price varies for non-residents. Permits can be purchased at any Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks location or online.