MONTGOMERY &045; Registration has begun for the next Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop, March 2-4, 2007. The workshop, sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), will be held at the 4-H Center near Columbiana in Shelby County.

BOW is a three-day adventure workshop, which started in 1995, offering beginner-level skills training for an array of fun and exciting activities ranging from turkey hunting to camp cooking. BOW activities and workshops include camping, backyard wildlife, nature crafts, map and compass, mountain biking, shooting sports (pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader), fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature crafts, archery, ATV handling, motor boat handling, geocaching and much more. Participants can also obtain their Hunter Education Certification and Boating Safety Certification during the weekend event, which is held twice a year.

The BOW workshop is open to females at least 18 years of age. Many past participants return to BOW and often bring someone with them to experience what they have discovered to be a fun-filled weekend of challenging activities in the beautiful outdoors. Attendance regularly includes senior adults, mothers and daughters, co-workers and best friends.

Highly trained ADCNR staff and volunteers serve as instructors. Additionally, participants may bring their personal equipment to use in the various sessions.

The registration fee of $199 covers all meals, dormitory lodging, program materials and instruction. Enrollment is limited to 130 applicants, and classes fill up fast.

&8220;This gives any woman over 18 years of age the opportunity to get out in the outdoors, enjoy it, get some instruction in different areas in a non-threatening environment,&8221; said Sylvia Payne, ADCNR Information and Education Section.

To register, visit the Department of Conservation’s Web site at www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/Events_for_women/bow/. Registration deadline is March 1. Once registration is completed, registrants will receive confirmation including a class schedule and driving directions.

For additional information, contact Ms. Payne, ADCNR Information and Education Section at 1-800-262-3151 or Sylvia.Payne@dcnr.alabama.gov.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.