imported post
If you want to improve your shooting skills, get instruction.
If you need to take a particular course for a CCW permit that you want, take the course.
But don't expect the police to have any particular respect or to look more fondly on you because you have some sort of certificate. They may-- or may not-- care about whatever certifications you hold. They may not be impressed if you have skills or formal training that are equal or superior to their own. Most likely they will simply view you as somebody with a gun who isn't LEO.
So get what you want for a reason other than whatever impression you think it will make on the police.
Lammie, as far as gun handling goes, the Hunter's Safety course only provides instruction on how NOT to accidentally shoot yourself or another person. Of course, that's an important safety tip, but beyond that it doesn't have relevance to carrying and using a gun for defensive purposes. There's a a whole lot more involved in prevailing during a violent attack than simply not shooting yourself or an innocent person. Hunting does not normally, if ever, include shooting from barricaded positions, finding cover (I've had squirrels drop acorns around me but they've never shot back with a gun), quickly clearing a malfunction, shooting and reloading on the move, protecting your firearm from a disarm, drawing and shooting while being punched. Hunting safety class does not include information on setting up a safe room in your house, how to exit a vehicle and return fire, shoot weak-handed, perform a one-handed reload, how to use a flashlight properly while shooting, engage multiple hostile targets, clear a room or countless other things that distinguish a combat shooter from a hunter or target shooter. As far as I know, nobody here is carrying their weapon around town for the off-chance that they'll be invited to some impromptu target shooting or because they expect dinner to poke it's head up down the street.
ha! See with the bear you transitioned from hunting to a defensive shooting situation.