Combination hunter safety course scheduled in Orchard

A combination firearm and bow-hunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard, Aug. 5, 8 and 10. The times will be 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 8 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10.

This free course will be held at the Orchard Community Center at 407 E. 4th St. in Orchard. The course will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification, tracking and conservation management. Students must attend all the three sessions to complete the course.

In Nebraska, hunters ages 12 through 29 must have on their person, proof of successful completion of firearm hunter education when hunting with a firearm. Additionally, bow-hunter education is required for all Nebraska hunters, ages 12 through 29, who hunt deer, elk, antelope or mountain sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow.

Participants must register for the course at: "outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/hunter-education/"; then click on "REGISTER FOR HUNTER/BOWHUNTER ED"; scroll down and find the class at Orchard Community Center; click on the class, then click "Register Now" and follow the instructions.