North Carolina hunters can obtain the first portion of their hunter education certification by taking HUNTERcourse.com, the popular interactive online hunter education course.

The newly approved course will help meet the high demand for hunter education leading up to the fall hunting season.

All hunters in North Carolina must take a state-approved hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, this education requirement has reduced the number of accidents in the state by more than 50 percent in the last 20 years.

HUNTERcourse.com allows new hunters to complete the classroom portion of the North Carolina hunter education course on the Internet. After studying all of the online chapters, and passing a final online exam, students complete their certification at a hands-on Field Day.

The NCWRC worked closely with Fresh Air Educators, the developers of HUNTERcourse.com, to ensure the course meets all of the state’s requirements.

“HUNTERcourse.com provides a comprehensive, interactive learning experience, in a very convenient package,” said Travis Casper, Hunter Education Coordinator at the NCWRC. “We know our hunters will value this course.”

“We are very proud of our role in training the next generation of hunters,” said Kerry Moher of Fresh Air Educators. “Offering top quality hunter education in an online format that appeals to today’s youth is one of the ways we can continue to safely and responsibly connect young people with the outdoors.”

To study for their hunter safety certification, North Carolina residents can visit www.huntercourse.com/usa/northcarolina.

After completing the online course, students print a Field Day Voucher that admits them to a hands-on portion of the hunter safety course. Students are encouraged to register for a Field Day (http://www.huntercourse.com/usa/northcarolina/fielddayinfo.aspx) before finishing the online course.