The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses.

“It’s a good idea to sign up as early as possible while there are classes available. The closer we get to hunting season, the quicker the classes fill to capacity,” said Steve Robbins, regional hunter safety coordinator.

“The FWC Hunter Safety Course is 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.

“During 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 said.

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 who wish to complete the alternative course using the CD-ROM method will need to contact the regional office at least two weeks prior to the scheduled course field day. A CD-ROM with instructions will be mailed at the student’s request.

A traditional course will be held in Suwannee County Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 2-4 from 6-9 p.m. (location to be determined) with the range being held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hamilton Correctional Center in Jasper. Participants must attend all dates to receive certification.

Interested hunters in other counties may check out http://MyFWC.com/huntered or call the Lake City Regional Office at 386-758-0525 for more information, dates and locations.