The DeKalb Police Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be hosting a hunter safety education training course series beginning on Feb. 14, according to a news release from the city of DeKalb.

The course will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 14, 19 and 21 at DeKalb High School, 501 W. Dresser Road, and attendance is mandatory for anyone hoping to obtain a state hunter’s license to all three sessions, according to the city. Illinois state law mandates that completion of a hunter education course is required before a hunting license will be granted.

Course topics include firearms safety, hunter ethics, wildlife management, first aid, survival techniques, state regulations, basic archery, muzzle loading and game identification. The course will have an emphasis on gun safety.

The course is free but there are only 45 seats and seats will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.

To register, contact the DeKalb Police Department at 815-748-8400. Any additional questions should be directed towards Officer Geoffrey Guzinski of the DeKalb Police Department.