News Release

Hunter safety grads get free NWTF membership, shot at grand prize

February 13, 2007
Contact: Bill Cline (850) 488-9388

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Bass Pro Shops have a sweet deal for young hunters who pass a hunter safety course by June 20.

The first 2,000 hunter safety graduates under age 16 will receive a free subscription to "JAKES/Xtreme" or "JAKES" magazines. These quarterly publications come with membership in the JAKES or Xtreme JAKES program and are loaded with entertaining and educational articles about wildlife, conservation, the shooting sports and the great outdoors. The magazine also includes information about academic scholarships, chances to win a conservation contest and prizes.

"This is a great way to enhance our Hunter Safety program while encouraging literacy and life-long activities in the great outdoors," said Bill Cline, FWC's hunter safety section leader.

To sweeten the deal even further, the Florida Chapter of the NWTF is providing one grand prize winner a Florida turkey hunt. In addition, the grand prize winner will receive a new turkey shotgun and all the gear needed to go turkey hunting, courtesy of Orlando's Bass Pro Shops.

A hunter safety course is required for everyone born on or after June 1, 1975 before they can purchase a Florida hunting license. The free, 16-hour course does more than teach how to handle firearms. Topics include outdoor ethics, wildlife identification and management, survival, field first aid, firearm laws and the Florida Wildlife Code. The basics of archery and black powder (muzzleloading gun) hunting also are part of the course, and for those interested in bow-hunting certification, a limited number of advanced archery courses also are available.

To find out more about these courses, contact the hunter safety administrator at an FWC regional office or register for a class at MyFWC.com/huntersafety.