Two ways to take Hunter's Ed course

Don't let the excuse of not having a hunter education course keep you out of the woods this year. There are now two easy ways to take a course -the traditional classroom course or a CD-Rom hunter education course - according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

The CD-Rom is available by calling or stopping by any WRD Law Enforcement Office and it will satisfy eight hours of the required time needed to complete the course. Students then will need to attend a short classroom course where they will review course contents and take the final exam. All students must pre-register for the traditional classroom course or the two-hour review course either by going to www.georgiawildlife.com or by calling (800) 864-7275.

"All hunters now have the opportunity to take the hunter education course," said WRD Hunter Education Coordinator Capt. James Bell. "The CD-Rom course is available for those whose schedules do not allow them to spend ten hours in a classroom and the classroom course is available for those who prefer the hands-on method of teaching."

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 (one or seven day) 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.

· Juvenile hunters between the ages of 12 and 15 may hunt on private property without hunter education if under adult supervision except when hunting on a Wildlife Management Area, National Wildlife Refuge or Park Service Land.

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

Pre-registration is required for all those interested in taking a hunter education course. Hunters can call the Central Reservations System (CRS) at 1-800-864-7275 to register by phone. A service charge applies to registrations made through CRS. Alternately, hunters can go to the WRD web site at www.georgiawildlife.com to search and register for a hunter education course at no charge.

Participants also should note that there is a cut-off date for registration three days prior to the start of a class. Hunters also can replace hunter education cards through the same phone and online services. As with hunter education course registration, a service charge applies to the CRS phone line but there is no charge for using the WRD website.

For more information on Hunter Education, contact the local WRD Law Enforcement Office or call 770-784-3068. To receive a copy of the CD-Rom Hunter Education course, call or stop by the local WRD Law Enforcement Office:

·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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