Florida bowhunters will have two opportunities to attend a National Bowhunter Education Foundation certified bowhunter education course in September.

The first course will take place Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5, in Inverness during the Bowhunter Jamboree and begins at 8:30 a.m. The second class will be hosted by the Easton Newberry Sports Complex, located at
24880 NW 16th Avenue in Newberry, Sept. 12 and begins at 8 a.m.

All courses will be conducted using the new online, distance learning format. A bowhunting enthusiast may now access the program on the NBEF website, enter through the Florida portal and complete the online classroom topics before attending a shortened, interactive field day. The Florida course is found atwww.bowhunter-ed.com/florida/.

People attending the Bowhunter Jamboree at the Citrus Wildlife Management Area, near Inverness, will have a chance to complete the bowhunter education course field day Sept. 5 from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Tickets to the jamboree range from $40 (adult), $20 (youth) to $60 (families) and include a one-year membership in the Florida Bowhunters Council, sponsor of the event. You are not required to pay the jamboree admission fee in order to attend the bowhunter education course. The course is offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Hunter Safety Section and the Florida Bowhunters Council.

"While these courses do not satisfy the hunter education requirements for Florida, it is educational, informative and well worth taking," said Steve Robbins, FWC Hunter Safety coordinator in Lake City.

Previous jamborees have attracted approximately 600 archers, who test their skills with broadhead-tipped hunting arrows in a shooting competition. This year's added attraction is the FWC's bowhunter education course, designed to meet the requirements of some states that require National Bowhunter Education Foundation certification prior to purchasing a bowhunting license.

Participants can expect to learn all aspects of bowhunting including:

• History of bowhunting;
  
• Safe and responsible bowhunting;
  
• Know your bow and arrow;
  
• Preparing for the hunt;
  
• Shot placement and game recovery;
  
• Use of elevated stands and other techniques;
  
• Outdoor preparedness.
  

Participants must bring their own equipment, including bow and field-tipped arrows. At the Jamboree, they should bring a lawn chair for their comfort. Please dress in hunting attire.

Students should register for the course they choose by calling the FWC's North Central Regional Office at 386-754-1654 or by visiting MyFWC.com/bowhunt. Students of all ages may participate.

Additional information for the Easton Newberry Archery Park can be found at http://eastonnewberrysportscomplex.com/ or on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Easton-Newberry-Sports-Complex/125485530865518.

For more information on the jamboree, visit http://www.floridabowhunters.net/.