Hunter safety courses offered in February
Media contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525
Hunter safety course (TRADITIONAL) offered in February for Taylor County
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free traditional hunter safety course in Taylor County in February.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times. Students must attend all sessions to receive their certificate.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Taylor
Feb. 20 and 21 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
The specific locations for this class will be given to those who register in advance. Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Lake City at 386-758-0525.
Hunter safety (Internet-completion) courses offered in February
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety Internet-completion courses in five counties in February. (List follows.)
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Baker
Feb. 20 (8 a.m. until noon and then 1 p.m. until complete)
Citrus
Feb. 27 (9 a.m. until complete)
Columbia
Feb. 18 (6 – 9 p.m.) and
Feb. 20 (8:30 a.m. to noon
Duval
Feb. 18 (6 – 9 p.m.) and
Feb. 20 (8:30 a.m. until complete)
Levy
Feb. 27 (9 a.m. until complete)
The specific locations for these classes will be given to those who register in advance. Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Lake City at 386-758-0525.
Bowhunter education course in February in Columbia County
Florida bowhunters will have an opportunity to attend a National Bowhunter Education Foundation certified bowhunter education course Feb. 6, from 8 a.m. until noon in Columbia County.
The course will be conducted using the new online, distance-learning format. A bowhunting enthusiast may now access the program on the NBEF website, enter through the Florida portal and complete the online classroom topics before attending a shortened, interactive field day. The Florida course is found at http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/florida/.
The course is offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Hunter Safety Section and the Florida Bowhunters Council.
“While these courses do not satisfy the hunter education requirements for Florida, they are educational, informative and well worth taking,” said Steve Robbins, FWC Hunter Safety coordinator in Lake City.
Participants can expect to learn all aspects of bowhunting including:
- History of bowhunting;
- Safe and responsible bowhunting;
- Know your bow and arrow;
- Preparing for the hunt;
- Shot placement and game recovery;
- Use of elevated stands and other techniques;
- Outdoor preparedness.
Participants must bring their own equipment, including bow and field-tipped arrows. Students should register for the course they choose by calling the FWC’s North Central Regional Office at 386-754-1654 or by visiting MyFWC.com/Bowhunt. Students of all ages may participate.