By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office will begin hunter education classes for residents starting early next month. The course will cover topics such as firearm safety, survival, first aid and wildlife identification.

State law requires all individuals born on or after Sept. 1, 1969, to obtain a hunting license prior to hunting in Louisiana. Individuals must be 10 years of age or older to be certified to hunt.

The classes will be limited to 30 students, and each student must pre-register and attend each day to complete the two-day course. The classes will be held at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s firing range, located on Louisiana Highway 3127 in Killona behind the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility.

The dates for the 2012 classes are Friday, July 6, and Saturday, July 7; Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21; Friday, Sept. 7, and Saturday, Sept. 8; Friday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Sept. 22. Friday classes will be from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday classes will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be two field days for individuals who have taken the course online with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The field days will be held Saturday, Aug. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 6. Field day hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes fill up quickly, so residents are encouraged to pre-register early by calling 985-783-1173.