Mississippi’s Hunter Education Program

Hunter education works. Since 1950, when formal hunter safety programs were introduced, the number of hunting and firearm-related accidents has declined dramatically nationwide. In Mississippi, we know our hunter education efforts have reduced firearm accidents and saved lives.

All persons born on or after January 1, 1972 are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks offers the course free of charge at locations across the state. For information on license requirements and hunter education requirements see General License Information.

The hunter education course includes 10 hours of instruction, including range firing. There are no age requirements for participation. However, students must be at least 10 years old, attend all class sessions, pass a written exam, and complete a firing exercise to be certified as having completed the course.

Courses are taught by MDWFP employees and volunteer instructors. Schedule date and time may change or be canceled, therefore, it is important to call and verify time, date, place and whether space is available.

The Hunter Education program is designed to:

• reduce hunting accidents
• teach hunter ethics and responsibilities
• promote wildlife conservation
• teach firearm and treestand safety

Specifically, the course contents include:

• hunter ethics and responsibility
• history of firearms
• rifles
• shotguns
• ammunition
• safe handling of firearms
• treestand safety
• marksmanship
• black powder and muzzleloading
• bowhunting
• wildlife identification
• principles of wildlife management
• survival
• water safety
• hypothermia
• first aid