The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free in-person hunter safety field days in seven Northwest Region counties in October (list follows). Students who have completed an FWC approved online hunter safety course must register for and attend an FWC Field Day to receive their hunter safety certification.

Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.  

Students who have completed the online course and wish to attend an FWC Field Day must bring an electronic or hard copy of the completion certificate. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 years old at all times. All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper.

The FWC Field Day locations and times are:

ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Oct. 12 (6-10 p.m. CT), Oct. 29 (7-10 a.m. CT)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino

Oct. 5 (6-10 p.m. CT), Oct. 29 (7-10 a.m. CT)
Bell 4H Center - UF Extension Service
3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment

GULF COUNTY
Oct. 15 (8 a.m-2 p.m. CT)
Gulf Correctional Institution - Training Building
500 Ike Steele Road in Wewahitchka

JEFFERSON COUNTY
Oct. 15 (8 a.m.-2 p.m. ET)
Jefferson Correctional Institute
1050 Big Joe Road in Monticello

LEON COUNTY
Oct. 21 (6-9 p.m. ET)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Bryant Building
Second floor conference room #272
620 S. Meridian Street in Tallahassee

Oct. 22 (8 a.m.-noon ET)
Apalachicola Public Range
NFR 305
Apalachicola National Forest 

OKALOOSA COUNTY
Oct. 22 (8 a.m.-3 p.m. CT)
Okaloosa Correctional Institution
3189 Colonel Greg Malloy Road in Crestview

SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Oct. 19 (6 p.m-10 p.m. CT), Oct. 29 (7 a.m.-10 a.m. CT)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay

Oct. 26 (6-10 p.m. CT), Oct. 2 (7-10 a.m. CT)
Milton Extension Office
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton

WALTON COUNTY
Oct. 30 (8 a.m.-3 p.m. CT)
Walton County Sportsman Association
955 Smith Road in DeFuniak Springs 

Those interested in attending an FWC Field Day can register online and learn more about hunter safety courses by visiting MyFWC.com/HunterSafety and clicking on “Education” and then “Hunter Safety Courses” or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.

Youth between 12 and 17 years old who successfully complete a hunter safety course can learn more about conservation and experience hunting through the FWC’s Youth Hunting Program. Learn more about these safe, educational, mentored youth hunts by visiting MyFWC.com/YHPF. In addition, hunter safety course graduates can participate in the Youth Hunter Education Challenge Program. This program’s events are designed to teach those 18 years old and younger about leadership, safety and conservation while building skills and knowledge related to hunting, map and compass, wildlife identification, and target shooting. Find and register for these events at MyFWC.com/YHEC.