Taking a hunter education class in Georgia is now easier than ever according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Beginning immediately, hunters can access an approved hunter education course on the Internet at www.beasafehunter.org. This Internet course satisfies eight of the ten required hours to complete the course. Hunters then must attend a two-hour (minimum) review / test course and if all requirements are met successfully, students receive their hunter education certificate before leaving the classroom.

“We expect that this new course option will be very popular, especially with young hunters and/or those whose schedules do not allow time to fit in the traditional classroom course,” says WRD Hunter Education Coordinator Capt. James Bell. “While we will continue to offer the traditional 10 – hour classroom course and will mail the CD Rom course to those who request it, the Division hopes this new Internet option will increase the number of students who complete the course and save time and money for the Division.”

Completion of a hunter education course is required for any person born on or after January 1, 1961, who:

· purchases a season hunting license in Georgia.

· is at least 12 years old and hunts with a weapon without adult supervision (adult supervision means 18 years of age or older with a minor being in sight or hearing distance of that person).

· hunts big game (deer, turkey, bear) on a wildlife management area (including any hunter age 12 or older).

The only exceptions include:

· a person purchasing a short-term hunting license (as opposed to a season license) is no longer required to show proof of having taken an approved hunter education course regardless of the person’s state of residence.

· any person hunting on his or her own land, or that of his or her parents or legal guardians.

Those interested in the new Internet course should go to www.beasafehunter.org . After completing all lessons and the review test, students should print out and sign the “Hunter Education Final Report and Affidavit”. If under age 18, a parent or guardian must sign the affidavit. Students should then go to the WRD website at www.georgiawildlife.com, click on hunting, then hunter education to find a review course. Students also can call 1-800-864-7275 to register for a review course, however there is a small fee for this service. Hunters must bring the signed, completed “Final Report and Affidavit” to the review course or they will not be allowed to take the final test.

For more information on the new Internet hunter education course, go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com or call 770-784-3068.

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