Hunter Education Requirements

Anyone who wishes to hunt without an apprentice-designation must obtain hunter education certification unless exempt. A certificate issued by another state or country and approved by the Wildlife Department may be accepted.

Persons 9 years of age or younger may take the hunter education course but are not eligible to receive certification. They must hunt as an apprentice.

Apprentice hunters must follow the accompanying hunter requirements below.

Find hunter education class locations and dates below.

Exempt from Hunter Education

• Anyone 31 years of age or older
• Honorably discharged from, or currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
• A member of the National Guard

Apprentice-Designated License

Anyone 30 years of age or younger who is not Hunter Education certified must hunt as an apprentice and abide by the accompanying hunter requirements below. This designation is chosen in lieu of the hunter education ID number when purchasing a license.

Accompanying Hunter Requirements

• Accompanying hunter must be 18 years of age or older and possess a hunter education certificate or be exempt from the hunter education certification requirements.
• Big game (deer, elk, bear and antelope) – accompanying hunter shall be within arm’s lengths of the apprentice hunter or close enough to take immediate control of the firearm or archery equipment of the apprentice.
• Small game (including turkey) – accompanying hunter shall be in sight of and able to communicate with the apprentice hunter in a normal voice without the aid of any communication device. When a license is not required (17 years of age or younger), the hunter must still be accompanied.

Youth participating in youth deer, youth turkey or youth waterfowl season must adhere to the accompanying requirements listed above.