Cedar Hill hosts hunter education course Aug. 24

Whether its doves in the fall, deer in the winter or turkeys in the spring, passionate hunters can be found across Franklin County taking on the wildlife of Alabama. Purchasing a hunting license in Alabama requires the completion of a hunter education course, and a Franklin County instructor will offer such a course this month for those who need it. 

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, hunter education courses are open to children as young as 10. Whether a hunter is ready to pursue a hunting license – required for those 16 and older – or just needs a refresher on safety topics, Wade Willingham will be hosting a traditional, in-person class Aug. 24 at Cedar Hill Trap Range, 4021 Highway 84, Russellville.

“We do hands on here,” Willingham said. “They are going to learn more if they can put their hands on it instead of sitting in front of a computer (and doing the online course).”

The free class will begin at 8 a.m. Willingham said attendees should register for the course by visiting www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/hunter-education-alabama, clicking the link to view the traditional class schedule and then searching by county to locate the local event registration. 

Willingham will welcome other volunteers on site to aid in instructing the free education course, including game warden Joshua Barber and a representative from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, who will each tackle various aspects of firearm safety. 

The local course is also supported by the Lost Creek Conservation and Wildlife Club, which formed about nine months ago in Franklin County to encourage safe shooting and promote hunter education and other conservation and wildlife topics.

The ADCNR reports about 14,000 students participate in the Alabama Hunter Education Program annually.