Hunter Education classes will be offered this week with wildlife officers reminding that many hunters are required to take hunter safety prior to taking to the woods with a gun to hunt anything.

“All hunters at least 10 years old or older and born after 1968 must take the hunter education class before you hunt in Tennessee,” reminded Joe Fortner, DeKalb County Wildlife officer, noting there is a minimum requirement to take the class. “Students must be at least 9 years old before you can take the class.”
The classes will be offered Saturday Aug. 18 from 9 to 5 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. at DeKalb County Fire Hall on King Ridge Road.  Students must attend both days for certification. Those interested should go to tnwildlife.org to sign up for the class. 

Qualified youth hunters will then be invited to attend the DeKalb County Youth Dove Hunt on Sept. 8 at Gene Young’ farm. The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. with registration happening from 1 to 1:30 p.m. the day of the hunt. A new shotgun, donated by Belk Grocery, will be given away after the hunt at 5 p.m. The youth whose name is drawn must have an adult who can legally possess a firearm and will continue to possess the firearm until the youth becomes an adult. The hunt is open to youth ages 9 years to 17 who have completed Hunter Education and are properly licensed. Bring ammo, plugged shotgun, glasses, ear protection, and stool or bucket.

There will be 40 staked hunting positions in the field. A supervising adult must be at each stake.  Two youths may share a stake, but only one gun per stake.

To reserve a staked position email: Joe.Fortner@tn.gov. For more information call Joe Fortner 615-294-5440 or Tony Cross 931-287-8427.