To hunt in florida, The Florida Game and Freshwater Commission requires that each hunter born on or after June of 1975 take a 12 hour hunter education course.

Brian called the game and freshwater commission and asked them to send him information on the next class. The first class that was held was in a town about an hour away so we held off and waited for something closer. April first we received a letter saying they were offering a hunters education course 15 minutes down the road so, Brian and I attended.

Day1

Before the class started Brian and I walked over to a pen where they keep 2 wild boar. 1 male named "Arnold" and one female named "Miss Piggy" when it was almost 6:00 "class start time" we walked into the room and signed in. After everyone settled down a lady from the the Game and Fish Commission "GFC" taught us the rules and regulations of hunting in florida. We went through the WHOLE law book. I learned that the only two resident game birds in florida are Quail and turkey. The law  book was lengthy, but as she explained the rules and regulations it became obvious that if you don't read the laws carefully you could end up in trouble. So always go over the hunting rules and regulations book for your state, and the state you may be hunting. Things change in that book every year.

 The next instructor was teaching us about florida venomous snakes.  The man said we have every type of venomous snake right here in Florida. Pretty scary stuff. I also learned that if you get bit by a snake the first thing to do is STAY CALM! you need to do this because if you get all worked up the venom will get to you heart. so again STAY CALM and get to the hospital ASAP

DAY2

The instructor today introduced us to a muzzleloader. I had never heard of a muzzle loader before, The instructor said that you should  never use modern smokeless powder in a muzzle loader this can cause serious injury.

Next was my favorite part of the course, ARCHERY! The instructor had 3 bows, a longbow, a compound and a recurve. He showed us the different parts of the bow, how to shoot, form, how to string the bows, and proper care and maintenance. Two things he didn't mention were proper treestand stand safety and shot placement. These are 2 vital factors in ethical bowhunting. Know where the vital area of the animal your hunting is, and always wear a safety belt in a tree.

Day 3

Today was rifle, shotgun and ammunition day. There was so much to learn I can hardly remember all of it. We learned safe gun handling and how to carry a firearm. Brian got picked to be an an example of how to cross a fence. But he didn't check underneath a towel that was laying on the fence. The towel was covering up as No Hunting sign. So  Brian and the rest of his group  were on restricted  property. It was a cheap shot but it was funny. So always look for no hunting signs on the area your hunting. Even if the sign is covered up or laying on the ground, don't hunt there, you could end up in jail.

Day 4

Wildlife identification review and test day. We all sat down and they handed out the tests. Brian was the first one done but he had to come back and write his 10 commandments of firearm safety on the back of the test before he was completed.

• Watch the muzzle
• Treat all guns like they are loaded.
• Make sure the barrel is free of obstructions
• Be sure of your target
• Never point the gun at anything you do not want to shoot
• Never shoot at a hard flat surface or water
• Never climb a tree jump a ditch or across a fence with a loaded gun
• Unload gun when not in use
• Store ammunition and firearms separately
• Never drink or use drugs before handling a gun

Range day

Early in the morning the class met in a remote area at some clay pits in the woods. First the group shot 3 arrows each at the archery station. I hit the target all 3 times. Brian hit the bulls eye all 3 times, as usual.
Then we went over to the shotgun station. Brian hit 3 clay birds out of 5. I hit none.
Next we went to the rifle station. These were 22 's and we took 5 shots sitting and 5 standing. Brian didn't hit the bulls eye, just the paper. I didn't even hit the paper. But the guns were not sighted in and had been fired a million times before us. And again this was my first time shooting a gun, so overcoming the fear was the biggest accomplishment for me. In the future I plan on learning to shoot better.

The last section of range day was the walk through. This is where all the instructors set up decoys snakes spiders and you walk through the woods, spot them, and the instructor gives you a situation or a hunting season and you tell him if is ok to shoot, if its not ok to shoot ect.

Brian and I got snake bit. Not once, but twice by rubber snakes. Snakes are really hard to see so be careful when you are in the woods... Also they had a deer setup and behind it it appeared to be clear for a shot, it was legal hunting season I drew my wooden gun, everyone fired off pretend "BANGS" but Brian stood there not moving. I noticed that there was a dummy dressed in camo sitting on the ground with no hunters orange on. He was really hard to see and if it was a live deer the adrenaline would have took over and that man would have been shot by everyone in the class except for Brian and I.. ALWAYS WEAR HUNTER ORANGE DURING GENERAL GUN SEASON!!!! and be sure of your target before you shoot. It is a matter of life and death.

The class was finally over. Brian and I passed with flying colors and I really learned alot. So looks like I will be seeing you guys in the woods!

Chrissy Bruder