About
The California Hunter Education Program includes instruction in firearms safety and handling, sportsmanship and ethics, wildlife management and conservation, archery, black powder, wildlife identification, game care, first aid, survival, and Bow Hunting Classes. The Traditional Hunter Education Course consists of a minimum of ten hours of classroom, homework, and field instruction. Students may choose between two class format options, and the Traditional Hunter Education Course allows for individual interaction with the instructor.
• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: The Traditional Hunter Education Course consists of a minimum of ten hours of classroom, homework, and field instruction.
California’s first hunter education law was enacted in 1954, and the Hunter Education Program is a state mandated, federally funded program. In an effort to raise safety and conservation awareness, California’s first hunter education law was enacted in 1954. Classes are offered throughout the state by more than 1,000 certified volunteer instructors. California requires hunter education training for those who have never held a California hunting license, who do not have a hunter education certificate, or who do not have a hunting license from another state or province issued within the past two years.
The online course, alone, is not a qualification for a hunter education certificate, and once a student has completed an online course, they must attend a 4-hour follow up class with a certified Hunter Education Instructor. Access is permitted to the 4-hour follow-up class only after a student has completed the written Home Study or Online component of the class, and the Online-Only Hunter Education Course option is no longer available. The Online Course and Follow-up class is designed for students 12 years and older.
Bowhunter Education Classes do not fulfill the requirements for a Hunter Education Certificate, but the certificate received from Bowhunter Education Classes does fulfill the Bowhunter Certification requirement in other states. If the student is under 18 years of age, the required Student Consent Form must be signed by the parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend with young students, especially those younger than age 16, to help define new words or provide additional mentoring during and after class, but generally parents or guardians will not be allowed to assist students while taking the required exam.
The Hunter Education Program must be made available to all persons and no one may be refused training, certification, or otherwise discriminated against because of age, race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability or national origin. The program must be made available to all persons as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If a student needs reasonable accommodations, they should contact the District Coordinator for their county, and for American Sign Language interpreting services, students should contact the District Coordinator at least 60 days prior to the desired class date.
Last updated April 27, 2026.
• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: The Traditional Hunter Education Course consists of a minimum of ten hours of classroom, homework, and field instruction.
California’s first hunter education law was enacted in 1954, and the Hunter Education Program is a state mandated, federally funded program. In an effort to raise safety and conservation awareness, California’s first hunter education law was enacted in 1954. Classes are offered throughout the state by more than 1,000 certified volunteer instructors. California requires hunter education training for those who have never held a California hunting license, who do not have a hunter education certificate, or who do not have a hunting license from another state or province issued within the past two years.
The online course, alone, is not a qualification for a hunter education certificate, and once a student has completed an online course, they must attend a 4-hour follow up class with a certified Hunter Education Instructor. Access is permitted to the 4-hour follow-up class only after a student has completed the written Home Study or Online component of the class, and the Online-Only Hunter Education Course option is no longer available. The Online Course and Follow-up class is designed for students 12 years and older.
Bowhunter Education Classes do not fulfill the requirements for a Hunter Education Certificate, but the certificate received from Bowhunter Education Classes does fulfill the Bowhunter Certification requirement in other states. If the student is under 18 years of age, the required Student Consent Form must be signed by the parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend with young students, especially those younger than age 16, to help define new words or provide additional mentoring during and after class, but generally parents or guardians will not be allowed to assist students while taking the required exam.
The Hunter Education Program must be made available to all persons and no one may be refused training, certification, or otherwise discriminated against because of age, race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability or national origin. The program must be made available to all persons as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If a student needs reasonable accommodations, they should contact the District Coordinator for their county, and for American Sign Language interpreting services, students should contact the District Coordinator at least 60 days prior to the desired class date.
Last updated April 27, 2026.
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