Could this be the future of hunting and gun safety

Testing, testing: The homepage for Nova Scotia's new online crossbow course

courses in Canada? Nova Scoita’s Department of Natural Resources has introduced an online certified crossbow hunter course—the first such program in the country (see the new release here). Hunters in the province must pass the course to use a crossbow during the General Open Season for deer. The training is free. Students must subsequently score a minimum of 80 per cent on each of five quizzes on different aspects of crossbow hunting to get certified, which costs $29.95 plus GST. (Hunters who provide proof of previous crossbow training can skip the online course.) To enroll in the course, hunters must have either a hunting or bow certification and a Wildlife Resources Card.

Currently, hunters in Manitoba and P.E.I. can also take an online hunting safety course, though in each case students must pass an off-line exam to receive certification. Can other provinces be far behind in this initiative?

For anglers who fish unfamiliar waters, a good lake

Fish finder: The Angler's Atlas homepage, just one of dozen's of online sites to find lake maps

map is a handy tool. And an online site for finding those maps is just about as helpful. So if you’re searching the Web for lake maps, you’ll undoubtedly want to check out this recent post (“Google Maps for Anglers”) on the Google Maps Mania blog. It includes a list of sites that compile fishing maps in various locations throughout North America and the world. As with sites such as the Canadian-based The Angler’s Atlas (see earlier blog), most of the sites include social-networking components, so users can post photos, fishing reports and meet other anglers. Just another useful way to get to know those lakes and rivers you’re itching to fish.