This law requires Georgia schools to provide outdoor and hunter education.
“It’s a good piece of education to make sure our students are well rounded and to expose them to, you know, lessons that they may not learn elsewhere,” says Senator Bo Hatchett with District 50 in Georgia.
This kind of curriculum has been taught in Georgia schools for decades. Supporters of this legislation say that Senate Bill 148 further instills the importance of outdoor learning.
Senate Bill 148 provides outdoor learning and hunter education within Georgia schools.
This program would be taught in grades 6 through 12 by a certified teacher or a Georgia Hunter Educator.
“The goal of the program is to develop safe, responsible and legal hunters,” says Walter Lane, the Assistant Chief of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Communication Education and Outreach sector. He adds that tree stand safety, wildlife identification, and fire zones would be taught in the course.
The bill also provides outdoor classroom spaces for a first look into wildlife. Senator Hatchett recalls the programs within his middle school. “The classroom was right beside the river,” he shares. “It was really hands on.” Senator Hatchett says this is why he wanted to sponsor this bill.
Both Lane and Senator Hatchett say they are in full support of helping the next generation of hunters, outdoorsmen, and students.
The Georgia Department of Education has until Wednesday, April 1, 2026 to establish policies and standards in regard to this new law.
Local 3 will keep you updated on the department’s decisions.
