MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Mac McKenna has hunted in the Lowcountry for more than 50 years. He's hunted every game, fired dozens of weapons and probably has more experience than any two hunters combined.
He's seen many changes in hunting practices over the years, but he said one thing will never change.
"Hunting safety is the most important thing," the 77-year-old hunter said. "Hunter education is necessary no matter what your experience level."
The hunting courses are available online at the Department of Natural Resources Web site,www.dnr.sc.gov. People interested can also call 1-800-277-4301 for more information, or call McKenna directly at (843) 522-0797.
McKenna is a hunter education course instructor and a member of the Parris Island Rod and Gun Club. He has helped form the coursework that covers various topics such as basic shooting skills, hunter safety, archery and a host of regulations intended to keep hunters safe.
"There is a certain percentage of people who hunt, a certain percentage who are totally against it and some in the middle," he said. "Those people who don't know one way or the other are the ones we need to impress upon that hunting is a safe sport."
The safety courses are offered by the DNR when large enough groups of people want to take the course, he said.
Those people who don't want to wait for a scheduled class can take the course online and finish with a test given by McKenna or another DNR representative.
The course is required of all Marines before they are authorized to hunt, so it's in their best interest to take the course as soon as possible, said McKenna, a former resident of Illinois.
Parts of the safety courses offered through the DNR are aimed toward the conservation of wildlife and ethical hunting standards. Above all else, McKenna said, is safety.
Dennetta Dawson is a sergeant with the DNR and acts as a safety officer for Beaufort.
She's been hunting for 15 years and knows that hunting safety awareness is on the rise.
"We've gotten better," she said. "We've seen a downward trend in incidents because of the hunting safety courses.
"Even if you've been hunting since you were knee high to a grasshopper, you can't take things for granted. That's when accidents happen," she said.
Dawson works in conjunction with local law enforcement and game wardens to enforce and distribute information about the rules and regulations.
Hunting laws vary from state to state, county to county and even city to city. Dawson urged hunters to educate themselves on all the regulations before going on a hunt.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort sees plenty of hunters on its property during the deer hunting season. Gary Herndon is the game warden for the Air Station. During his 30 years, he's learned one universal trait that keeps hunters safe, no matter where they're hunting.
"Common sense," he said. "If people follow the rules and have some common sense, then they should be safe. Accidents happen when people get complacent and careless."
Even though hunting has the potential for serious consequences if the rules are ignored, it is still a recreational activity.
"Hunting is a sport people can mentor others in," Dawson said. "It's important to be safe, but also to have fun."