Area hunters reminded state's safety course is available online

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reminds Franklin Countians who have not taken nor completed a hunter education course to do so before the start of sanctioned seasons.

State law mandates all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, must take part in the course to be eligible to purchase a state hunting license.

In 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic limiting in-person meetings, MDWFP encouraged residents — ages 12 and over — to take the mandated classes online through the video-narrated and interactive “Today’s Hunter in Mississippi” program.

Upon successful completion of the class, participants will receive documentation that can be presented as a digital or paper copy to vendors to purchase a hunting license.

The cost of the online course is $24.99 and registration for the program can be found directly at www.hunter-ed.com or can be accessed through the MDWFP’s website at www.mdwfp.com/education-outreach/hunter-education/online-hunters-ed/.

Program videos feature professional educators presenting storylines and up-to-date scenarios that focus on safe hunting practices. The offering is fully mobile-friendly from start to finish and is designed to work on smartphones, tablets, laptop or desktop computers.

Participants can complete the class at their own pace — either in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. The online offering allows students to log in and out at any time of the day and will keep track of progress made along the way. Throughout the course, students will be tested on what they have learned.

All U.S. states, provinces and other countries that have mandatory hunter education requirements will accept the Mississippi Hunter Education completion card, and Mississippi accepts hunter education certificates issued by other jurisdictions that meet official requirements.

The next in-person class regionally will be held beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 13 at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg with a live firing exercise included with the gun safety portion of the class.

Another in-person regional course is slated for 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8 at Paul B. Johnson State Park’s Visitor Center in Hattiesburg.

Preregistration is required for all in-person classes offered through MDWFP.