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 the most up-to-date listing, see: www.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 *

Currently there are two areas where hunter education is mandatory. Contact the state program for further 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 an approved Hunter Ed. training course 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 a certified hunter education course and have certificate on his or her person while hunting.

Tel: 303/291-7300 or 7264 or see the list of Colorado CRASH courses.

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 purchaser.

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 15-17 years of age 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 a 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 shall obtain a hunter ed. certificate card prior to purchase of hunting permit. Min. age 11.

Tel: 573/751-4115

MONTANA

Youth 12-17 years of age must present a certificate to purchase any hunting license.

Tel: 406/444-4046

NEBRASKA

Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1977 must complete an accredited hunter ed. course to hunt with a firearm or bow and arrow.

Tel: 402/471-5534

NEVADA

Born on or after Jan. 1, 1960 must show proof of hunter education to purchase license.

Tel: 702/688-1500 or 1553

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Minimum of 12 hours of 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 a Hunter Education Card to apply for license or draw permits and to hunt with a firearm.

Tel: 505/841-8888 or 8885

NEW YORK

For a license to hunt with firearms or bows: Hunter Education 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 education course.

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 hours minimum instructor contact.

Tel: 503/229-5400 Ext. 411

PENNSYLVANIA

All hunting and fur taking license buyers must complete a 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 education program 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 a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15.

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 successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.
• age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a Hunter Education Deferral, and you must be accompanied*.

New: Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only 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 education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting.

Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Bowhunter Education: Certification is required on certain areas of Texas (Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsboro and Camp Bullis, San Antonio).

Note: Bowhunter education 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 a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Tel: 801/538-4727

VERMONT

First time hunting 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 education course.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/hed/

WEST VIRGINIA

Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1975 must complete certified hunter education course.

Tel: 304/558-2783

WISCONSIN

Persons born on or after 1/1/73 must complete certified hunter education course.

Tel: 608/266-1317

WYOMING

Persons born on or after 1/1/66 must have hunter education certificate.

Tel: 307/777-4538

CANADIAN PROVINCES

ALBERTA

All first-time hunters under 14 required to 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 age 10-18 must be supervised by license holder age 19+.

Tel: 604/387-9760

NEW BRUNSWICK

Persons may apply for a hunter and firearm safety training certificate if the person: a) is 12+ years, b) completes min. 8-hour training course, c) passes a written examination.

Tel: 506/453-2440

NEWFOUNDLAND

All first-time hunter who have not completed the Hunter Capability Test or Canadian Firearms Safety Course before April 1996 must complete Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course to hunt game.

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 habitant.

Tel: 902/424-5254

ONTARIO

First-time resident hunters must pass hunting license exam, complete hunter ed. program.

Tel: 416/314-1036 or 1027

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

As of 9/1/84, all first-time hunters and those under 16 years of age are required to complete a firearm safety course before being issued a firearm safety card.

Tel: 902/368-4683

QUEBEC

Must take a course and pass exam on the safe handling of weapon they intend to use. Persons 12-17 years old must have written authorization from parent or guardian.

Tel: 418/789-7055 or 3094

SASKATCHEWAN

Course is required by persons 17 years of age and younger, and all persons acquiring 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 the states or provinces with this symbol (*) means Voluntary Program.

Bowhunter Education Requirements in Other States
International Hunter Education Association