South Carolina–(Ammoland.com)-The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), in partnership with Clemson University, has made the online version of its Deer Steward certification course available free-of-charge (a $200 value) for active military personnel serving in combat zones in 2013.
As the end of the year approaches, QDMA wishes to remind active military personnel of the opportunity to partake in the immensely popular course as the ability to offer the course free of charge will expire on December 31, 2013.
The idea to make Deer Steward online available to active military in combat zones came about after two soldiers contacted QDMA about enrolling in the course. Captain Brandon Bonfiglio of the 1st Infantry Division located at a forward operating base in Gamberi, Afghanistan, and Senior Master Sergeant Dana Rogers of the 445 Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Shindand Airbase in Afghanistan were both interested in obtaining Deer Steward Certification.
In its second year, the online Deer Steward course gives enrollees access to digital recordings of a previous in-person Level I course (filmed in front of a live audience). Students have up to 180 days to complete the series of six sessions (approximately 17 one-hour topics) at their own pace, and as long as active military personnel serving in combat zones register by December 31, they will have up to six months from the registration date to complete the course. Speakers include Kip Adams, Dr. David Guynn, Joe Hamilton, Dr. Craig Harper, Dr. Karl V. Miller, Brian Murphy, Matt Ross and Dr. Grant Woods. A high-speed Internet connection is required for quality viewing of digital recordings; also, the web browser Mozilla Firefox is recommended.
Just like the in-person classes, registrants must pass an exam to graduate, and Continuing Forestry Education (CFEs) credits from the Society of American Foresters will be available. In addition, graduates of the online version of Deer Steward will be eligible to take one of the in-person Level II courses upon completion.
Anyone interested in deer hunting and management can participate in the online course. Those interested, including active duty military in combat zones, can enroll in the Deer Steward online course by obtaining a registration form online atwww.qdma.com/corporate/deer-
About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with nearly 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com. QDMA can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheQDMA and Twitter atwww.twitter.com/TheQDMA.