SOCIAL CIRCLE — Georgia women interested in the outdoors can develop their hunting, fishing, boating and other outdoor recreation skills through a new program series provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center.
“Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” is a nonprofit educational program offering hands-on workshops to women of all ages and fitness levels.
Casual-styled classes enable women to learn about everything from shooting clays to banding birds. No experience is necessary. Sessions led by outdoors professionals give novices and more experienced participants enough knowledge to pursue their outdoors interests when the workshop is over.
Weekend workshops begin with lunch Friday and end with lunch Sunday. In between, women 18 and older can choose from more than 25 classes such as outdoor photography, small-game hunting, fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, outdoor survival skills and rope-assisted tree climbing. Firearms-safety and hunter-education classes are offered to anyone who has not taken either course.
Program coordinator Jody Rice said the program, often referred to as BOW, is designed to encourage women to get outside and enjoy outdoors activities.
“BOW offers women that chance by providing various classes in outdoor skills, and teaches these skills in a fun, non-threatening environment,” said Rice, who also is a training and development specialist at the center.
A basic program is scheduled for Nov. 2-4 at the center near Mansfield, about an hour southeast of Atlanta off Interstate 20. Participants will lodge at Charlie Elliott’s conference center, part of a complex including a wildlife-management and public-fishing area.
For more information, go to  www.georgiawildlife.com/BOW or call 770-784-3059.