From learning how to safely carry a firearm to navigating real- world hunting scenarios, an upcoming Hunter Education Skills Session in Richmond aims to prepare new hunters before they head into the field.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the class, scheduled for up to four hours, on Aug. 15 at the Ray County Library, 215 East Lexington Street, giving participants ages 11 and older the opportunity to complete the hands-on portion of Missouri’s hunter education certification. Led by Conservation Agent Claire Burch, the session combines practical instruction and interactive exercises before concluding with a certification exam.

The skills session is the second half of Missouri’s hunter education certification process. Before attending, participants must complete the knowledge portion either online or through the free “Today’s Hunter in Missouri” workbook.

Burch noted the online option includes a small convenience fee, while printed workbooks are available to Ray Count…