FEB. 28 IS HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR DAY

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release:

As turkey season quickly approaches, Gov. Perdue reminds Georgia hunters about the importance of hunter safety, declaring February 28th as Hunter Education Instructor Day. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) currently offers the convenience of an online course (www.beasafehunter.org), encouraging all aspiring hunters to register.

"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," explains 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."

All resident and non-residents born on or after January 1, 1961 must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a season hunting license. One-day and seven-day hunting license purchases are not included in this mandate. Visit www.gohuntgeorgia for more information regarding hunter education requirements, age constraints and replacement certificates.

Potential students can quickly create an account and dive into the online course by visiting www.beasafehunter.org. Users who prefer the CD-Rom course method may call or stop by any WRD Law Enforcement Office. All hunters using either the Internet course or the CD-Rom course must also pre-register and attend a two-hour (minimum) classroom course where they will review course contents prior to taking the final exam.

Students interested in the 10-hour classroom course must also pre-register to participate. Pre-registration is determined as three days prior to the scheduled start date of the course.

Potential students may call the Central Reservations System (CRS) at 1-800-864-7275 to register by phone (service charge applies) or they may visit www.georgiawildlife.com to register for a hunter education course at no charge.

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