Turkey season will be here before the end of the month, so don’t wait until the last minute to take a hunter education course, reminds the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The hunting season for wild turkeys begins on Saturday, March 25, 2006 and runs through Saturday, May 15.

“The Division wants to ensure that the hunter education course is available to everyone who needs it, regardless of time and location restraints – so we offer a classroom course, a CD-Rom course and an Internet course,” says WRD Hunter Education Coordinator Capt. James Bell. “The availability of the Internet and CD-Rom course meets the needs of those whose schedules do not allow them to spend ten hours in a classroom but the classroom course is available for those who prefer the hands-on method of teaching.”

Aspiring hunters can visit www.beasafehunter.org to participate in the Internet course. If someone prefers to use the CD-Rom course, they can call or stop by any WRD Law Enforcement Office. Hunters using one of these two methods must attend a two-hour (minimum) classroom course where they will review course contents and take the final exam.

All students must pre-register for the 10-hour classroom course or the 2-hour review and exam that accompanies the Internet and CD-Rom courses. Hunters can call the Central Reservations System (CRS) 1-800-864-7275 to register by phone (service charge applies) or they can go to the WRD website at www.georgiawildlife.com to search and register for a hunter education course (no charge). Participants also should note that there is a cut-off date for registration three days prior to the start of a class.

For more information on Hunter Education, contact the local WRD Law Enforcement Office or call (770) 784-3068.

·Region I Calhoun (770) 769-9680

·Region II Gainesville (770) 535-5499

·Region III Thomson (706) 595-4211

·Region IV Macon (478) 751-6415

·Region V Albany (229) 430-4252

·Region VI Metter (912) 685-2145

·Region VII Brunswick (912) 264-7237

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