Holman (Mar 10/03) - Seven Holman residents are now certified as big game sport hunting guides.

Instructor Clayton Burke offered a two-week course to hamlet residents Feb. 1 to 14. The program was sponsored by Aurora college and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

The course targeted big game hunting, but Burke also educated the participants about the tourism industry and opportunities in their community.

"We went through client services and setting up a small business operation so they have some understanding of how business works," said Burke. He operates the Big River School of Tourism in Fort Smith.

The students covered hospitality training to learn about client expectations, bush survival skills, map and compass work, use of the GPS system, firearms safety first aid and CPR.

To get some experience in the field, Burke and the students also planned and carried out a hunt.

"We went out and harvested two muskox and then we prepared the head and hide for mounting and prepared the meat for community use," said Burke.

Mary Banksland, president of the Holman Hunters and Trappers Committee, said the course was a great benefit to local people.

"My husband took part in it and he said it was really good and he learned a lot," she said.

The training ended just in time for the Feb. 19 arrival of American and European sport hunters. The spring sport hunt for polar bear and muskox began on Feb. 9 and runs until April.