With deer season quickly approaching, now’s the time for prospective hunters to sign up for the state-sanctioned hunter safety courses being held in various locations around Maine.

According to Maine law, hunters older than 16 must complete the appropriate safety course prior to hunting without adult supervision.

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, in 1986 the legislature mandated a law requiring all new hunting license holders to successfully complete a hunter education course before getting their license. Prior to that, attendance at hunter safety courses was optional.

Over the years more than 200,000 prospective hunters have received safety instruction through the state’s hunter safety courses, according to the DIF&W.

A list of some of the hunter safety courses being offered:

. In Mars Hill, at Central Aroostook High cafeteria, Sept. 9, 12, 14 and 19 from 6-9 p.m., call Roger Shaw at 425-3771 or 429-9014.

. In Washburn, at the snowmobile clubhouse, Sept. 12, 15, 19 and 20 from 6-9 p.m., call 455-0900.

. In St. Francis, at the elementary school, Sept. 13 from 6-9 p.m., Sept. 24 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call Ben Nadeau at 398-3509.

. In Caribou, at Caribou High School, Sept. 19-22 from 6-9 p.m., call 493-4272.

. In Sullivan, at Sumner High School, Sept. 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29 from 5-7:30 p.m., call 422-9100.

. In Bucksport, at Bucks Mills rod and Gun Club, Sept. 24-25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call Troy Frye at 469-8905.

. In Hampden, at Reeds Brook School, Sept. 12-15 from 6-9 p.m., call Betty Tibbetts at 862-6422 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. In Howland, at Penobscot Valley High School, Sept. 13-15 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 17 from 8 a.m.-noon, call Judith Linquist at 732-4531 or Clinton Gaskill at 732-4300.

. In Lincoln, at Mattanawcook Academy, Sept. 19-22 from 6-9 p.m., call Beverly Osborn at 794-6712.

. In Hermon, at Hermon High School, Sept. 19-22 from 6-9 p.m., call 848-3263 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. In Old Town, at Old Town High School, Sept. 26-29 from 6-9 p.m., call 827-3906 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. In Greenville, at Greenville High School, Sept. 12-15 from 6-9 p.m., call Debbie Ward at 685-2125 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. In Dover-Foxcroft, at Sedomocha Middle School, Sept. 24-25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call Lorrette Nuite at 564-6525 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. In Jackman, at Forest Hills High School, Sept. 17-18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call Harold Moore at 668-7612.

. In Belfast, at Belfast High School, Sept. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28 from 6-8 p.m., call Jodelle Rolerson at 238-3197.

. In Burnham, at the town hall, Sept. 21 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call Ann Goodblood at 948-5372.

. In Palermo, at Sheepscot River Fish & Game clubhouse, Sept. 24-25 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., call Hank Holding at 589-3666.

. In Princeton, at the Princeton Rod and Gun Club, Sept. 10-11 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call Dale Speed at 796-2341.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.