There are two very important events coming up soon everyone needs to put on their calendars.
The first is the only hunter education skills course this spring in Poplar Bluff, coming up on March 20 at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School gymnasium from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The second is the SEMO Sportsmen's Banquet on March 24.
Students need to register for the hunter education skills course online at http://mdc.mo.gov. Click into "Become Hunter Education Certified" to register for the Poplar Bluff course. Make sure to read through the process thoroughly.
In order to attend, all students must complete the knowledge portion first, either online or by picking up a student manual at Walmart in Poplar Bluff and completing the review sections after going through all the information in the book.
You must be at least 11 years old to take the hunter education course and become certified.
The online knowledge option is highly recommended.
The printed certificate from the online knowledge portion or the completed student manual must be presented at the skills course in order to attend and complete the skills course.
If you are a Missouri resident, you may want to consider taking the entire course online in the privacy of your own home. It costs $15 to complete either online option (knowledge Portion or the complete course). You may need this certification to spring turkey hunt or function as a mentor on a youth hunt.
The SEMO Sportsman's Association banquet, with a fried-chicken dinner, will begin at 5 p.m. March 24 at the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153 on Kanell Boulevard.
There will be family fun, entertainment and lots of door prizes. It costs $6 per plate, and the proceeds will fund the Kid's Fish and Fun Day on May 19 at the pond located behind the New Covenant Fellowship Church.