ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is adding a Spanish-language version of its online hunter safety course.

The Natural Resources Police said Monday that the measure is a large step toward reaching the Hispanic community with hunter safety information.

Lt. Joe Offers says the agency is also working on Spanish-language classroom courses in hunter safety.

One must take a hunter safety course to obtain a Maryland hunting license.

The online course covers the same material taught in the classroom. It is offered through Dallas-based contractor Kalkomey Enterprises Inc.

The company says the Spanish version enables more people to get hunting licenses.

A 2010 Maryland state park user survey found that nearly 1 percent of daily visitors said Spanish was their preferred language.

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