NASSAU COUNTY KICKS-OFF HUNTER SAFETY SEASON

January 20, 2005
CONTACT: Steve Robbins (386) 758-0525

The first Hunter Safety Course offered in 2005 in the North Central Region will be a traditional course in Nassau County. It will start Jan. 25 at the Agricultural Center in Callahan.

Although classes are offered in every county throughout the year, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) volunteer instructors are out hunting just like everyone else during the season and classes are limited after October.

“It’s a good idea to take a course early in the year while there are many available. Classes offered late in the year quickly reach student capacity and it may be difficult to enroll in a class that close to hunting season,” explained Steve Robbins, Regional Hunter Safety Coordinator.

Hunters who need the course can scan the FWC website at MyFWC.com/huntered for classes offered earlier in the year. A large number of courses will be offered in February and March, just prior to spring turkey season, and are generally lightly attended.

“The FWC Hunter Safety Course is now available online and on compact disc. Hunters can take a majority of the classroom instruction without leaving home before taking part in a field day that includes live-firing instruction on a shooting range to earn certification,” Robbins said.

The new method allows students to obtain partial credit for the hunter safety course by completing an interactive Internet or CD-ROM program. To obtain a hunter safety course certificate, students must complete the interactive Internet or CD-ROM program and attend a scheduled “hands-on” field day.

“At the field day, students must complete a standard written examination and are expected to demonstrate many skills such as loading and unloading different types of firearms, safely crossing fences, and other activities that all safe, responsible hunters should be able to complete,” Robbins explained.

The interactive Internet and CD-ROM course was developed in cooperation with seven southeastern states as a means of increasing accessibility to hunter safety programs. The field days are offered throughout the State of Florida. Please refer to the hunter education web page (MyFWC.com/huntered) and click on the online course link for information regarding the availability of field days in your area. The traditional classroom courses are still being offered in all of Florida’s counties.

Families with young children are encouraged to attend a traditional course. Student interaction with the instructors may assist the child in better understanding the course content, and the instructor can answer student questions, which cannot be accomplished with the online or CD versions.

Students wishing to complete the alternative course using the CD-ROM method will need to contact the closest FWC Hunter Safety office a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled course field day. A CD-ROM with instructions will be mailed at the student's request.

“While you’re visiting the Hunter Safety website, be sure to look over the other hunter safety offerings, such as the advanced Bowhunting Course and the Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops,” Robbins said.

For more information, click on MyFWC.com/huntered/who_can_I_call.htm to find the closest FWC Regional Office.

KAP/CR

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