Hunter education courses will be offered at numerous sites around the state during the coming months, according to the schedule released by the Alabama Conservation Department's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

Instructors certified by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will teach the courses.

The early release of this schedule enables interested participants to enroll in courses convenient to their schedules.

Mandatory for all first-time hunting license buyers born on or after Aug. 1, 1977, the course satisfies the requirements of Alabama law, and involves training in hunter ethics, state wildlife and hunting laws, firearms handling and safety, muzzleloading, archery, wildlife identification and management, outdoor survival skills and first aid.

Alabama's hunter education course is accepted in all 49 U.S. states and Canadian provinces where hunter education is mandatory before hunting license purchases.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Riley Boykin Smith said, &uot;We recommend the course for hunters of all ages. In addition to providing a basic foundation for novice hunters, the course is an excellent refresher course for experienced hunters.&uot;

Two locations are available in Butler County at the present time: Aug. 27 through 29, 5:30-9 p.m. at the Butler County Extension Office; also Oct. 22 through 25, 6-8:30 p.m. at Georgiana High School (334) 376-5614.

For more information on hunter education in Alabama, call (334) 242-3620 or the toll-free hunter education number 1-800-245-2740.