Completion of the course enables residents to obtain a valid Hunter Safety certificate, which is prerequisite for purchasing a hunting license.

Each year, the Wildlife Resources Division schedules plenty of classes in area counties to offer new hunters many opportunities to attend classes that suit their schedule.

This fall, it is now possible to register by phone or online, and several new options are available, including a home-study CD-Rom course that will replace all but two hours of the 10-hour classes now required.

''We're excited to be able to offer this new service to hunters,'' said state Wildlife Resources Division Director David Waller. ''Hunter education courses provide an invaluable way for budding sportsmen and women to receive the necessary information on hunting safety, and now information is even more accessible to the public.''

Previously available only by taking a 10-hour class, the state hunter education course is now available at home through a CD-Rom or video.

The CD-Rom is free and can be obtained through local Wildlife Resources Division offices, libraries and schools.

The CD can be used and reused, and will require a two-hour review with a certified hunter safety instructor (these two-hour classes also require registration in advance). Certificates of completion are issued once students pass the final exam.

The video, still in the preparation stage, costs $15 and will be sold at Wal-Mart, Kmart and area sporting goods stores. Like the CD-Rom, the video at-home course still requires a two-hour class review with a certified instructor and successful completion of the final exam.

''We're very happy with these new programs,'' said DNR law enforcement Capt. Philip ''Pete'' Moss of the Thomson regional office. ''In a nutshell, what happens is, for people who want to be certified under our hunter education program, they now have several ways.''

Reach Robert Pavey at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 119, or rpavey@augustachronicle.com.