Women in North Georgia have an opportunity to learn or improve various outdoor skills, including shooting (archery and firearms)and fishing and camping, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

The National Wild Turkey Federation's "Women in the Outdoors" (WITO) program will be held at three different locations over the next few months: Tilley Mill (Aug. 4); Smithgall Woods - Dukes Creek Conservation Area (Aug. 25-26) and Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (Sept. 21-23).

"WITO events allow women to come together, learn together, make new friends, meet inspiring women and have a lot of fun," says WITO Regional Coordinator Kym Abernathy. "For many, these events help women overcome a fear or distrust of firearms, or to pick up an empowering skill like self-defense or archery."

WITO provides hands-on, educational outdoor opportunities for women -- ages 14 or older -- from all walks of life. These events are designed to be non-competitive and fun for women of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels.  Information on the Helen event is as follows:

Aug. 25-26, 2007-Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek (Helen, Ga.):  Cost of the workshop is $75. Participants can choose five exciting classes to attend during this 2-day event and can choose to "rough it" in a tent for the night or stay at the luxurious lodge instead (this cost is additional). The deadline to register is Aug. 20, 2007.

Registration cost covers lodging/camping fees, meals, instructional sessions, program materials, equipment use, WITO membership and a one-year subscription to the WITO magazine. Events also include an opportunity to win door prizes and a silent auction.

For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, select "General Information"www.womenintheoutdoors.org. www.nwtf.org or call 1-800-THE-NWTF. Interested parties may also contact WITO Event Coordinator for the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek event, Johnna Tuttle, at 706-878-3087 or johnna.tuttle@dnr.state.ga.us.