Educating Hunters of Today and Tomorrow

The first mandated hunter education program began in New York in 1949 to reduce hunting incidents. As hunter education programs spread across the country, safety coordinators formed what is now the International Hunter Education Association to create a core curriculum, which is the basis for this course.

Hunter education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and hunting safety. Today, hunter education programs are about more than safety. They have been expanded to produce responsible, knowledgeable, and involved hunters—hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and they provide a refresher for veteran hunters.

Ultimately, the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the hunting tradition.

Becoming a Responsible, Involved Hunter

Hunter education strives to instill responsibility, improve skills and knowledge, and encourage the involvement of beginner and veteran hunters. Responsible, ethical behavior and personal involvement are both essential to the survival of hunting.

Responsibility

How you behave and how other people see you will determine the future of hunting. To show that you are a knowledgeable, skilled student of hunting, you must behave responsibly.

• Demonstrate courtesy, show respect for others and for wildlife, and be involved in bettering and promoting the sport.
• Avoid poaching and careless acts.
• Obey hunting laws, hunt fairly, practice safety rules, and wait for a clean kill before shooting.

Safety Skills

• Gain hunting safety skills through hands-on training and practice.
• Learn these skills from an experienced hunter wherever it’s practical.

Knowledge

• Know how to handle and operate your firearm safely.
• Learn and understand the basics of safe hunting.

Involvement

To become a true, responsible hunter, get involved in efforts to make hunting a respected sport.

• Teach others, work with landowners, and cooperate with game wardens.
• Join conservation organizations to help preserve habitat and promote wildlife management.

International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)

The organization’s mission is to continue the heritage of hunting worldwide by developing safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters. Since its inception, IHEA has endeavored to:

• Serve as the primary resource for information on hunter education.
• Promote hunter education by providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences.
• Promote hunter education by fostering cooperative efforts among government agencies, organized groups, and industry.
• Uphold the image of hunting as a legitimate tool of wildlife management and as a recreational activity throughout North America.
• Promote programs which prevent hunting incidents.
• Cultivate honesty, self-discipline, self-­reliance, responsible behavior, and good citizenship among hunters.
• Strive for constant improvement in hunter education programs.
• Fully involve volunteers and other associate members in all affairs of the International Hunter Education Association.