Hunter Education Requirements in the United States and Canada

United States:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Canadian Provinces

For updated listings visit ihea.com

Also see: Bowhunter Education Requirements in the U.S. and Canada

 

 

UNITED STATES:

ALABAMA
Anyone born on or after Aug. 1, 1977 must complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a hunting license.
Tel: 205/242-3623 or 242-3868
ALASKA *
Hunter education is mandatory in two areas. Contact the state program for more information.
Tel: 907/267-2373
ARIZONA
10-14 who hunt big game
Tel: 602/789-3241 or 3242
ARKANSAS
Persons born on or after Dec. 31, 1968 must complete approved Hunter Ed. courses unless supervised by an adult.
Tel: 501/223-6414

CALIFORNIA
First-time license buyers must complete hunter education safety course.
Tel: 916/653-9727
COLORADO
Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1949 must complete hunter education and have certificate on his or her person while hunting.
Tel: 303/291-7300 or 7264 
CONNECTICUT
First time resident license buyers and those who have not purchased a new license in the past five years.
Tel: 203/584-9830 or 642-7239

DELAWARE
Mandatory for persons born after Jan. 1, 1967.
Tel: 302/739-3486

FLORIDA
Mandatory for persons born on or after June 1, 1975.
Tel: 850/488-4676

GEORGIA
Persons born on after Jan. 1, 1961 must complete a hunter safety course prior to acquiring a license.
Tel: 404/918-6409

HAWAII
Hunter education is mandatory for those born after Dec. 31, 1971 or first time hunters born before Jan. 1, 1972.
Tel: 808/587-0200

IDAHO
Hunter Education: anyone born after Jan. 1, 1975 Bowhunter Education: any first-time archery permit buyer.
Tel: 208/334-3746
ILLINOIS
Mandatory for anyone born on after Jan. 1, 1980.
Tel: 217/782-6431
INDIANA
All hunters born after 12/31/86 must complete hunter education course to purchase license.
Tel: 317/232-4010 or 233-5007
IOWA
Persons born after Jan. 1, 1967 and min. 12 years must complete a hunter safety and ethics course before purchasing a license.
Tel: 515/281-8652

KANSAS
Born on or after 7/1/57 must complete certified hunter education course to purchase a license.
Tel: 316/672-5911
KENTUCKY
Born 1/1/75 must have card in the field (not to purchase). Under age 10 , and license exempt are exempt from Hunter Ed.
Tel: 502/564-4762

LOUISIANA
Born or after Sept. 1, 1969 must complete certified hunter ed. course. Under 16 years may hunt under adult supervision.
Tel: 318/487-5885 or 504/765-2932

MAINE
All first-time hunters must take hunter safety course before obtaining a hunting license.
Tel: 207/287-5220
MARYLAND
Persons must produce a certificate of competency or a hunting license issued prior to 7/1/77 to obtain a hunting license.
Tel: 410/974-2327
MASSACHUSETTS
Mandatory beginning July 1, 1996. Minors ages 15-17 with written approval of parent or guardian may take firearms course.
Tel: 508/792-7434
MICHIGAN
First-time hunters born after Jan. 1, 1960 must complete hunter education course to obtain a hunting license.
Tel: 517/335-3410
MINNESOTA
All persons born after December 31, 1979 may not buy a license without a Safety Certificate or an Advanced Hunter Ed. certificate.
Tel: 320/616-2501
MISSISSIPPI
Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1972 must provide certification of completion of a hunter ed. course before obtaining any license.
Tel: 601/364-2190
MISSOURI
Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 must obtain hunter ed. certificate prior to purchasing hunting permit. Min. age 11.
Tel: 573/751-4115
MONTANA
Youth ages 12-17 must present a certificate to purchase any hunting license.
Tel: 406/444-4046

NEBRASKA
Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1977 must complete accredited hunter ed. course to hunt with firearms or bow and arrow.
Tel: 402/471-5534
NEVADA
Born on or after Jan. 1, 1960 must show proof of hunter ed. to purchase license.
Tel: 702/688-1500 or 1553
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Minimum 12-hr. training; minimum age to certify is 12.
Tel: 603/271-3212
NEW JERSEY
Persons over age 10 must show certificate of course completion or prior license.
Tel: 908/735-7088
NEW MEXICO
Any person UNDER age 18 must possess Hunter Ed. Card to apply for license or draw permits and hunt with a firearm.
Tel: 505/841-8888 or 8885
NEW YORK
For a license to hunt with firearms or bows: Hunter Ed. Card Certificate or previous hunting license required.
Tel: 518/457-2994
NORTH CAROLINA
Mandatory for first-time licensees.
Tel: 919/733-7191
NORTH DAKOTA
Persons born after Dec. 31, 1961 must complete hunter ed. except persons under 12 who hunt only with parent or guardian.
Tel: 701/221-6300 or 6316

OHIO
All first-time license buyers must take hunter ed. .
Tel: 614/265-6544
OKLAHOMA
Born on or after 1/1/72: certificate require to purchase license for deer with gun. 16+ years: certificate required for any license.
Tel: 405/522-4572
OREGON
All hunters under age of 18 must complete 10-hr. minimum instructor course.
Tel: 503/229-5400 Ext. 411

PENNSYLVANIA
All hunting and fur-taking license buyers must complete hunter ed. course or present previously issued licenses.
Tel: 717/787-7015

RHODE ISLAND
Certificate of competency from hunter safety program required for initial license.
Tel: 401/789-7055 or 3094

SOUTH CAROLINA
Persons born after June 30, 1979 must exhibit certification of completion of hunter ed. before obtaining a license.
Tel: 803/734-4003
SOUTH DAKOTA
Mandatory for all hunters age 12-16. Persons who are 12 after Sep. 1 may hunt in any season which begins Sept. 1 or later.
Tel: 605/773-3630 or 4506

TENNESSEE
Born on or after 1/1/69 must show completion of hunter education course.
Tel: 615/781-6538
TEXAS

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete Hunter Ed. Minimum age of certification is 9 years. 

If you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and you are:

  • under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
  • age 9 through 16, you must complete hunter ed. course or be accompanied*.
  • age 17 and over, you must complete hunter ed.or purchase a Deferral and be accompanied*.

Hunter Education Deferral ($10) allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed hunter ed. to defer completion for up to one year. Deferrals may only be obtained once and are valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount.

*Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter ed. or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting.

Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Bowhunter Education is also required in some areas of Texas (Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsboro and Camp Bullis, San Antonio) and does not substitute for Hunter Education certification.

Tel: 800-792-1112 ext. 62 for automated course line; all other calls: ext. 9-4999 or 512-389-4999.

UTAH

Any person born after Dec. 31, 1965 must complete hunter ed. before purchasing a hunting license.
Tel: 801/538-4727

VERMONT
First-time license buyers must complete an approved hunter safety course.
Tel: 802-241-3700
VIRGINIA
All persons 12-15 years of age and all persons 16 and over who have never been issued a hunting license must be certified.
Tel: 804/367-1000 or 8704

WASHINGTON
Persons under age 18 must show certification of completion of hunter ed..
http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/hed/
WEST VIRGINIA
Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1975 must complete certified hunter ed. course.
Tel: 304/558-2783
WISCONSIN
Persons born on or after 1/1/73 must complete hunter ed.
Tel: 608/266-1317
WYOMING
Persons born on or after 1/1/66 must have hunter ed.
Tel: 307/777-4538

CANADIAN PROVINCES

ALBERTA
All first-time hunters under 14 must take course.
All first-time hunters 14+, choice of course or first-time hunter test.
Tel: 403/427-6735
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Min. age for hunting license is 10; ages 10-13 may get junior license without hunter training; 14+ must complete training. License holders ages 10-18 must be supervised by license holder age 19+.
Tel: 604/387-9760
NEW BRUNSWICK
Persons may apply for hunter and firearm safety training certificate if the person: a) is 12+ years, b) completes min. 8-hr. training, c) passes written exam.
Tel: 506/453-2440
NEWFOUNDLAND
All first-time hunter who have not completed Hunter Capability Test or Canadian Firearms Safety Course before April 1996 must complete Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course to hunt.
Tel: 709/729-2549
NORHTWEST TERRITORIES *
Voluntary Program
Tel: 403/920-6401
NOVA SCOTIA
Must have Firearm Hunting Certificate while possessing firearm in a wildlife habitat.
Tel: 902/424-5254
ONTARIO
First-time residents must pass hunting license exam, complete hunter ed. program.
Tel: 416/314-1036 or 1027
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
First-time hunters and those under 16 years of age must complete firearm safety course before being issued a firearm safety card.
Tel: 902/368-4683
QUEBEC
Must take a course and pass exam on safe handling of the firearm they intend to use. Persons 12-17 years old must have written permission from parent or guardian.
Tel: 418/789-7055 or 3094
SASKATCHEWAN
Course is required for hunters ages 17 and younger and for all persons buying a hunting license for the first time. Minimum age of students is 11 years of age.
Tel: 306/787-2314
YUKON TERRITORY *
Voluntary Program
Tel: 403/667-5617

All states or provinces with symbol (*) = Voluntary.

Bowhunter Education Requirements in Other States
International Hunter Education Association