PAL Course in the Comox Valley
CFSC, CRFSC, and CORE Hunter Education at the Comox Valley Sports CentreSilvercore teaches the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC), the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC), and CORE Hunter Education at the Comox Valley Sports Centre, located at 3001 Vanier Drive in Courtenay. Courses run throughout the year in weekend, weekday, and evening formats depending on demand. Silvercore has been teaching across BC since 1994.
Who trains in the Comox Valley
Students travel to the Comox Valley Sports Centre from Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Black Creek, Merville, CFB Comox, and as far north as Campbell River. Drive times from common starting points run roughly 5 minutes from downtown Courtenay, 10 minutes from Cumberland, 10 minutes from Royston, 15 minutes from Comox or CFB Comox, 20 minutes from Black Creek, and 40 minutes from Campbell River.
What to expect
The classroom is set up for hands-on instruction. We bring real, deactivated firearms representing each action type you will be tested on, and you handle every one. You work through the curriculum with an instructor, write the written test, and complete the practical test at the end of the course.
CFSC and CRFSC are non-firing courses. There is no live range component, and there is no challenge or test-out option for either course. The test-out pathway was removed years ago. Everyone takes the full in-person course, residents and non-residents alike.
How to book
Course dates and registration are on the Canadian Firearms Safety Course page for the combined CFSC and CRFSC, the CRFSC-only page if you already have your non-restricted, and the CORE Hunter Education page for hunter education.
Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC and CRFSC Combined)
The most popular path to your PAL. Both the non-restricted CFSC and the restricted CRFSC in one course, exams included. Two days or three evenings. Save $55 versus taking the courses separately.
Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
The non-restricted PAL course on its own. Two days, exams included. Required for purchasing and possessing non-restricted firearms in Canada, such as rifles and shotguns for hunting or target shooting.
Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC)
For students who already have their non-restricted PAL and want to add restricted privileges for handguns and other restricted firearms. One day, exams included.
CORE Hunter Education
BC's required hunter education program for resident hunters applying for a hunting licence. In-person courses and CORE exam challenges held at the Comox Valley Sports Centre on a regular basis.
Register for a course in the Comox Valley
Combined CFSC and CRFSC course
CFSC-only course
CRFSC-only course
CORE Hunter Education
Silvercore at the Comox Valley Sports Centre
Silvercore teaches CFSC, CRFSC, and CORE Hunter Education at the Comox Valley Sports Centre in Courtenay. The Valley is the northernmost Silvercore classroom on Vancouver Island, and a region with deep hunting traditions: Vancouver Island blacktail, Roosevelt elk, and waterfowl are all within reach. Same RCMP-approved curriculum, same Silvercore instructor cadre.
Silvercore Club
The Silvercore Club is the next step once your PAL is in hand. Members across Canada and around the world get ATT for restricted firearms through our RCMP-approved ATT club, $5 million in liability insurance through Lloyd's of London, and access to The Outpost, our member-only podcast. $59 a year.
Study Online Before You Come to Class
View all CoursesStudents who study the CFSC and CRFSC theory online before their in-person course score higher on the written test. Videos, slides, and quizzes built by master instructors. Work through the theory at home so your time at the Comox Valley Sports Centre is hands-on, not catch-up.
Free PAL Practice Exam (Online)
Free PAL practice exam to test your readiness. Quick, realistic questions with instant results. Most people are surprised by their score. Find out where you stand before taking the official test.
CORE Hunter Education Course (Online)
Designed by experienced CORE instructors, this online course covers the theoretical portion of the B.C. CORE hunter education program.