Learn more about boating

Fall is a prime time for boating in the Tennessee Valley as the shoreline foliage takes on its autumn colors.

The Florence Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary wants to help area boaters make their fall travels on the water more safe.

A one-day boating safety course is from 8 a.m. <0x2011> 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Regions Bank, 321 N. Seminary St., Florence.

There is a $25 fee for the class, which covers the textbook, exam and certificate.

Pre-registration is requested. Students are responsible for their lunch.

The class is for anyone wishing to learn more about boating and becoming a safer boater. The course meets the requirements for the Alabama Boat Operators Certificate. Some insurance companies offer discounts to those who complete this course.

To register or for more details, call 767-0546.

Three local anglers are among the 12 on the Alabama Bass Federation state fishing team.

Jason Hester, of Tri-Counties Bassmasters, will compete in the boater division of the state team that will represent Alabama in the Bass Federation in a southern divison tournament at Lake Eufaula in June 2010. Henry "Rocky" Rockhill, of Tennessee Valley

Bass Club, and Tony South, of L.A. Bassmaters, will compete in the co-angler division. Co-anglers fish from the back of a boat operated by a competitor in the boater division.

The state team was announced after the Federation's championship Oct. 2-3 on Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden.

With feral hogs hunting gaining popularity, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is warning that humans can contract swine brucellosis when handling infected tissues of the wild pigs.

Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley said all hunters who field dress hogs should wear gloves.

"Heavy rubber gloves are preferred in case of nicks from a knife. After field dressing the hog, hands should be washed with soap and hot water. Swine brucellosis does not affect the edibility of the meat. As with all pork, it should be thoroughly cooked," he said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

In 2007, eight Florida hunters were diagnosed with swine brucellosis, and a Texas hunter recently contracted the disease when he did not wear gloves while cleaning a hog.

Because swine brucellosis can have a long incubation time, immediate symptoms may not be present. Although few humans die of infection, the disease is often chronic and debilitating.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.