By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Shelby County Shooting Sports Association has announced it will offer an inaugural NRA basic shotgun course beginning this fall.

The course is open to participants in grades 7-12 and is part of the Alabama 4-H program.

The course will begin Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. and last through Saturday, Nov. 18.

The course will cover common shotgun types, ammunition, shotgun safety and marksmanship by incorporating monthly live fire exercises as well as information that will be provided in a classroom setting.

The live fire exercises will take place at Red Eagle Skeet & Trap Club in Childersburg on Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 starting at 1 p.m.

The classroom material will be reviewed on eight total dates from 6-8 p.m. at Helena United Methodist Church.

The cost of the course is $80 and space will be limited. Registration is open until Friday, Sept. 8.

The $80 registration fee will include course training materials, one round at the range for each Saturday live first exercise class and usage of club shotguns.

Participants who complete the course will also be eligible to be a part of the SCSSA Shotgun Team should they choose to join the team, which will work toward marksmanship awards and compete at various events, according to SCSSA.

Students are responsible for eye/ear protection, transportation and any additional rounds and ammo that they may want to shoot while at the range.

To register for the course, visit Nrainstructors.org/CourseDetails.aspx or search NRA Basic Shotgun Course in Alabama.

For more information, contact instructor Clint Carter at clintcarter4678@gmail.com.