Hunter Education Program

The Delaware Hunter Education Program

Delaware’s Hunter Education Program was established in 1970. Section 501, Title 7, Delaware Code, requires all persons born after January 1, 1967 to satisfactorily complete a Basic Hunter Education Course in order to obtain a Delaware hunting license or Youth Hunting License. Since 1970, tens of thousands of Delaware hunters have been certified by the volunteer instructors of the Delaware Hunter Education Program. The program has been extremely successful and effective in significantly reducing risk and accidents.

Emerging factors such as changing demographics and the decreasing amount of habitat and accessible open space for hunting have created new considerations for hunters, landowners, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and Delaware’s general public who may or may not be hunters themselves. In response, the Delaware Hunter Education Program has also changed to meet the demands and challenges of a new hunting era. In addition to a live firing requirement, today’s curriculum includes an increased emphasis on safety and ethical behavior, landowner relations, wildlife identification, wildlife management and conservation, hunting laws and regulations.

The Delaware Hunter Education Program is committed to preserving Delaware’s heritage of fair chase hunting. In addition to mandatory Basic Hunter Education, Turkey Education and Trapper Education courses, the program offers advanced courses in Bowhunting, Muzzleloading, Handgun Hunting for Deer, Successful Deer Hunting, Precision Firearms for Large Game, Young Waterfowler’s Program, Deer Workshops, etc.

Important Notice

Courses including live firing are offered free of charge throughout the year. Certification will not be issued to any person under the age of ten (10). All firearms and ammunition are provided by the Hunter Education Program. Please try to complete your training at least one month before you plan to hunt. Your certification cards can be printed online a few days after you complete the course. The card must be presented to purchase a Delaware hunting license.

Advance registration is required.

Seating is limited and classes will fill quickly as hunting season approaches. Delaware law now requires live firing of a shotgun as part of basic hunter education.

Youth Participants

Certification will not be issued to youths under the age of ten. Students under the age of twelve must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Parents are reminded that younger students require a level of maturity and vocabulary sufficient for understanding adult subject matter and completing assignments. Students of smaller physical body size may find it very difficult or impossible to successfully complete live firing exercises.

Course Offerings and Locations

Please note that our courses are taught by volunteer instructors who schedule most of their courses from late August through December. All class details are subject to change without notice based on availability of instructors and sufficient student participation. The classes listed below may not always be available. Not all of the printed locations may be used. The online schedule is the most accurate and will be updated immediately as soon as new courses are available and posted.

Traditional, Live Basic Hunter Education Courses

Seating is limited. Advance online registration for all hunter safety courses is required. You may also register by calling 302-735-3600, extension 1.

New hunters learn safety, ethics, firearm types, safe gun handling, marksmanship techniques, specialty hunting techniques, wildlife management, wildlife ID, survival, etc. Delaware requires hunter ed certification via traditional live course or via internet course and field day for all hunters born after January 1, 1967. The courses are recognized in all states and Canadian provinces.

Sign up for traditional basic hunter education course given live at one of the classroom locations throughout the state. Delaware law now requires all basic hunter education course participants to participate in a live firing experience with a trained instructor. Live firing of shotguns requires a liability release signed by students 18 or older or a notarized signature of parents/guardians of students under the age of 18. All students must have protective shooting glasses and hearing protection. Adult and youth firearms, targets and ammunition will be provided. All live courses are free of charge with most held in the late summer and fall. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, visit the Hunter Education Online Access page or call 302-735-3600, extension 1.

Online Option for Basic Hunter Education Courses

Complete your hunter education coursework online with one of three private vendors. All three courses allow you to study and take the exam for free, with a fee due only when you are ready to have the vendor certify your successful completion. The State of Delaware has reviewed and approved these interactive courses but receives no portion of the vendor’s fee. New hunters learn safety, ethics, firearm types, safe gun handling, hunting and marksmanship skills, specialty hunting techniques, wildlife management, wildlife ID, survival, etc. Students with certificates in hand must then register and attend a specially designed, “hands–on” field day training session for final Delaware certification. Field day training for online courses includes Delaware laws and regulations, loading, unloading, safe handling and transporting of firearms; field skills involving blinds, boats and tree stands; zones of fire; obstacle crossing; operation of safeties and shotgun live firing.

Live firing of shotguns requires a liability release signed by students 18 or older or a notarized signature of parents/guardians of students under the age of 18. All students must have protective shooting glasses and hearing protection. Adult and youth firearms, targets and ammunition will be provided. For more information about Delaware-approved internet courses, visit the Hunter Education page or call 302-735-3600, extension 1.

• You can complete the required certification through an approved Delaware hunting course provider (certification fee is $39.99).
• Military personnel, firefighters, and police officers may be eligible for a discounted certification rate through Recademics’ discount program (certification fee is $20.00).

IBEP Bowhunter Education

Seating is limited. Advance online registration is required for all courses and can be completed through the Delaware Hunter Safety Program or by calling 302-735-3600 ext. 1.

Though not a Delaware requirement, this special course is required in many other states and provinces for bowhunters. Participants in this course learn bowhunting methods, game trailing and recovery, field experience, bowhunting safety, reading game signs, safe use of tree stands, calling, field dressing, and more. Youths under the age of 14 must attend with a responsible adult.

To participate, live firing, a signed release of liability, and advance online registration through the Delaware Hunter Safety Program are required.

Young Waterfowlers Program

Participation is limited, and advance registration is required for all courses through the Delaware Hunter Safety Program or by calling 302-735-3600 ext. 1.Always a favorite, these courses (approx 20 hours) provide youths between the ages of 12–16, exposure to the complete waterfowl experience. Everything from waterfowl ID, biology, blind construction and safety, decoy use, duck calling, camouflage technique, boating safety, bird recovery, laws and regulations, language and tradition, firearms, ammo and equipment will be covered. The course includes basic hunter education and finishes with an actual mentored waterfowl hunt. Participants must be hunter education qualified prior to hunting.

A signed release of liability and advance registration through the Delaware Hunter Safety Program are required for participation.

Mandatory Turkey Education

Seating is limited. Be sure to confirm course dates. All courses require advance online registration or you may register by calling 302-735-3600 ext. 1.

In addition to complying with other hunter education requirements, all hunters 13 years of age or older must successfully complete a Delaware-approved turkey hunter education course before they can legally hunt turkeys in Delaware.

Upon successful completion of this course, hunters will need to reprint their hunting license (if they already have a license) as completion of the course will be indicated on the license. Hunters that have already successfully completed the course will no longer need to carry a card as proof of completion as long as their hunting license indicates they have completed the course. In addition, public land hunters must have an annual permit from the Division if hunting on a State Wildlife Area or from the Delaware Department of Agriculture if hunting on a State Forest.

Online Turkey Course Option

Delaware also accepts an online turkey course: Note: Upon completion of the online course, students must contact the Hunter Education office or 302-735-3600 (x 1) to update their account to reflect course completion. Students will be required to submit a copy of their course completion certificate. Please include a phone number where the Hunter Education Office may call, in case there are any questions.

• You can complete the Delaware-approved online turkey education course for a certification fee of $29.99.
• You can also complete the Delaware-approved turkey hunting education course online for a certification fee of $25.00.

Mandatory Trapper Education

Seating is limited. Advance online registration is required for all hunter education courses. You can register through the Delaware Hunter Safety website or call 302-735-3600 ext. 1.

Trapper education is a mandatory prerequisite for purchasing a Delaware trapping license for all persons born after January 1, 1978. Class and Field work sessions include trapping history, heritage and ethics, furbearing animals of Delaware, trapping equipment, boating safety, hypothermia, practical water sets, hands-on instruction, how tides affect sets, proper skinning techniques, fur handling and how to market furs.

Online Option for Trapper Course:

Delaware also accepts an online trapper course: Note: Upon completion of the online course, students must contact the Hunter Education office or 302-735-3600 (x1) to update their account to reflect course completion. Students will be required to submit a copy of their course completion certificate.

For more information about additional classes or the Hunter Education Program, visit the Hunter Education Program webpage.

Or contact:

The Hunter Education Office
6180 Hay Point Landing Road
Smyrna, DE 19977
302-735-3600 x 1.

Delaware Master Hunter

Seating is limited. Advance online registration is required for all courses and can be completed through the Hunter Safety registration page or by calling 302-735-3600 ext. 1.

Not for Beginners.

You are already an experienced hunter. You love hunting; you read about it and think about it all year long. You are dedicated to the principles of ethical, responsible, fair chase hunting. You’ve learned a lot over the years but you are always ready to learn more. You want to keep yourself up to date with the latest hunting developments, trends, tactics, skills and regulations. You realize that there is a lot more to learn about wildlife, wildlife management and the role of hunting in our modern society. You know that hunting is a controversial issue and you want to keep up to date on what’s happening in Delaware. You’d like to benefit from the opportunity to learn from your peers and share some of the things you’ve learned the hard way. As a lifelong advocate and ambassador for hunting you want to help continue the heritage of hunting and ensure its future for the coming generations. You’d value the personal satisfaction of being a Delaware Master Hunter, officially qualified, certified and recognized by the State of Delaware.

If the above description sounds like you, you may be a candidate for the Delaware Master Hunter Program. To learn more or download an application, visit the Hunter Safety program webpage, or call 302-735-3600 ext. 1 to request a mailed application and check the schedule for upcoming dates. The Delaware Hunter Education Office of the Division of Fish and Wildlife will be glad to mail you an application form and an information sheet with details about the next course.

Directions to Hunter/Trapper Education Classroom Locations

Cedarfield Ruritan Club – Milford

From Route 113 South: Head South on Rt. 113. Before coming to the Rt. 113/Rt. 1 split you will see I.G. Burton car dealership on your right. Pass the dealership and immediately take the 1st right onto Tub Mill Pond Road. Wind around the “S” curve and the Ruritan Club (white building) is on your left.