The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in seven counties during April. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The date and times are:
Baker
April 18 (8 – 11 a.m.) Macclenny and range to immediately follow in Lake City
Clay
April 2 (6 to 9 p.m.) Green Cove Springs
April 4 (8 a.m. until complete) Graham
Columbia
April 11 (8 a.m. until complete) Lake City
Duval
April 9 (6 to 9 p.m.) Jacksonville
April 11 (8:30 a.m. until noon) Jacksonville
Lafayette
April 18 (8 a.m. until complete) Mayo
Nassau
April 25 (8:30 a.m. until complete) Hilliard
Suwannee
April 4 (8:30 a.m. until complete) Live Oak
The specific location for these classes will be given to those who register in advance. Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at https://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/ or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Lake City at 386-758-0525.
Youth between 12 and 17 years old who successfully complete a hunter safety course can learn more about conservation and experience hunting through the FWC’s Youth Hunting Program. Check out the calendar for safe, educational, mentored youth hunts. In addition, hunter safety course graduates can participate in the Youth Hunter Education Challenge program. YHEC events are designed to teach youth aged 18 and younger about leadership, safety and conservation while building skills and knowledge related to hunting, map and compass, wildlife identification and target shooting. Find and register for YHEC events.
