MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - If you’ve got a young hunter in the house—or you’re an adult who wants to finally get certified—Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is bringing a free Hunter Education safety course to Murfreesboro later this month. The two‑day class is open to anyone age nine and older and will be held at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office range AT 940 New Salem Highway in the first building on the right. The course runs from 5 to 9PM on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, and picks back up Saturday from 8AM until noon. While the class is open to all ages, students must be at least nine years old to become certified.

This isn’t just a sit‑and‑listen course. Students will learn proper gun handling, hunter ethics, responsibility to wildlife, tree stand safety, survival basics, and first aid. Saturday’s session includes a live fire event, giving participants hands‑on experience under the guidance of trained officers. Families are encouraged to bring their own food, though snacks and drinks may be available. Kids can be dropped off and picked up at the end of each session.

For questions, Officer Ethan Davis can be reached at 615‑203‑2102, and Officer Collin Jones at 629‑221‑0881. Registration is available online through TWRA’s Hunter Education portal. State and federal law require students to provide a Social Security number; those who have never been issued one may call 615‑781‑6538 for assistance.

Before signing up, TWRA asks participants to visit GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, log in, and update their profile—specifically verifying their ethnicity selection, which is required for class registration. And if plans change, anyone who registers but cannot attend must cancel before 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

With hunting season approaching, TWRA says this course is one of the best ways for new hunters to learn safe habits, build confidence, and get certified before heading into the woods.