SOCIAL CIRCLE — Women interested in the outdoors, but perhaps with little-to-no outdoor knowledge, can discover hunting, fishing, boating and other recreational skills through a 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 teach about everything from shooting clays to birding.
No experience is necessary.
Weekend workshops begin with lunch Friday and end with lunch Sunday. In between, women ages 18 and older can choose from more than 25 classes, such as outdoor photography, small-game hunting, fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, outdoor survival skills, GPS and Geocaching, nature photography and rope-assisted tree climbing. Firearms-safety and hunter-education classes are offered to anyone who has not taken either course.
The DNR’s Jody Rice, the program’s coordinator, said the program 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,” she said.
The program workshop will be Nov. 8-10 at the center, which is near Mansfield, less than 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 registration information or to learn more, go to   www.georgiawildlife.com/BOW or call 770-784-3059.