People attending the Bowhunter Jamboree at the Citrus Wildlife Management Area, near Inverness, will have a chance to take a free bowhunting course, Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets to the jamboree range from $20 (youth) to $50 (families) and include a one-year membership in the Florida Bowhunters Council, sponsor of the event. There is no additional charge to take the course, offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Hunter Safety Section and the Florida Bowhunters Council.

"While this course doesn't satisfy the hunter education requirements for Florida, it is well worth taking," said Steve Robbins, FWC Hunter Safety coordinator in Lake City.

Previous jamborees have attracted approximately 600 archers, who test their skills with broadhead-tipped hunting arrows in a shooting competition. This year's added attraction is the FWC's bowhunting course, designed to meet the requirements of some states that require National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) certification prior to purchasing a bowhunting license.

Participants can expect to learn all aspects of bowhunting including:
• History of bowhunting;
• Safe and responsible bowhunting;
• Know your bow and arrow;
• Preparing for the hunt;
• Shot placement and game recovery;
• Use of elevated stands and other techniques;
• Outdoor preparedness.

Participants must bring their own equipment, including bow and arrows. For their comfort, they should also bring a lawn chair.

Students should register for the course in advance by calling the FWC's North Central Regional Office at 386-758-0525 or by visiting MyFWC.com/HunterSafety(click on "Bowhunter Education"). Students of all ages may participate.

For more information on the jamboree, visit www.floridabowhunters.net.