Hunter Safety Class Scheduled for March in Carnesville

With turkey season just around the corner, there may be some young hunters out there who have yet to take the required hunter safety class.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be hosting classes in Carnesville in time for spring turkey hunting.

DNR Law Enforcement officer Corporal Craig Fulghum says the classes will be coming up in mid-March

“We’ve got a hunter education class coming up here in Franklin County. It’s on March 12-13 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. You have to be there both nights. It’s going to be at the Carnesville Fire Department at 9265 Lavonia Road,” said Fulghum.

Fulghum recommends those interested in taking the class register beforehand.  According to Fulghum, the process for registering online is simple.

“You can go to www.georgiawildlife.com and follow the education buttons. There’ll be an education button on the top right. Click on that and click on the hunter ed links and you’ll need to sign up before you come in. Basically, register online. We do accept walk-ins if you just want to walk in, we can get you set up,” he said.

Fulghum said the course will cover a number of hunting safety topics, such as wildlife identification, tree stand safety and firearm safety.

He says the course is especially necessary for young people.

“Kids are going to need this. When they turn 16 they’ll need this class to buy a hunting license, so we try to encourage most of them to take it before then,” Fulghum explained. “Between 12-16 is usually our ages but if they’re younger and they comprehend well we can do that, too. Anyone with any reading comprehension issues, we can take care of that, too. We’ve got people who are there that can read to them and stuff.”

Fulghum said the course will likely be the only one he does before the start of turkey season, but is open to any one in Franklin and surrounding counties.

“I try to do three a year in Franklin County. We’re trying to do this one in March to try to capture any turkey hunters that might be wanting to get out there. Then, we usually do two in the fall,” he said. “Usually in August and September, to try to capture our deer hunters to make sure they’re legal before they get in the woods. This is not just for Franklin County. Stephens County, Hart County, Elbert, Madison, you know, anyone within earshot that needs this class are more than welcome to come.”

The 2018 turkey season runs March 21 through May 15 with a limit of three gobblers per year.