KITTS HILL — The South Hills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, headquartered in Lawrence County, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Division of Wildlife and Mamre Baptist Church, will host a Hunter Education Course on Saturday, March 11 at Mamre Baptist Church.

All first-time hunting license buyers, except apprentice license buyers, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

The course is designed to instill a code of ethics and responsibility, as well as provide instruction on guns and how they work, types of ammunition, gun handling, field care of game, wildlife identification, wildlife management, hunting regulations and more.

Statistics show that hunter education has helped reduce the number of hunting-related injuries and accidents.

Many families enjoy hunting together and passing traditions on from one generation to another. Hunting is also important for the health of our nation’s wildlife and habitat because hunters fund conservation. Wild turkeys, and the management and hunting that go with them, contribute $2 billion annually to the American economy each spring.

The class is open to anyone wishing to attend. You must preregister for the class by going to www.odnr.gov or by calling 1-800-945-3543. The class will be taught by NWTF South Hills Longbeards Chapter President Larry Pernestti, chapter vice president Jason Corey and Wildlife Officer Darin Abbot.

For more information about the NWTF or the South Hills Longbeards chapter, contact Pernestti at 740-532-9128 or 740-646-6907. The chapter can also be emailed at Southhillslongbeards@gmail.com.