Hunter Tip: You Need Hunter Education
When you’re preparing for a hunt, you have a lot to remember: your gear, your gun, your field care kit, extra ammo, blaze orange hat… But did you get everything? In most states, you have to complete hunter education before you can get your hunting license and head out!
Watch the video below for a glimpse at what you’ll learn in a course from Hunter Ed.
Do you need your hunter education before you get a license? Check the list below.
Who Needs Hunter Education?
Alabama: Anyone born after July 31, 1977
Alaska: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1986, unless they under 16 years old and supervised by a licensed hunter
Arizona: Hunters 10 to 13 years old who hunt big game
Arkansas: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1968
California: Any first-time hunter
Colorado: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1948
Connecticut: All first-time hunters or those who have not held a license within the past five years
Delaware: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1967
Florida: Anyone at least 16 years old and born after May 31,1975
Georgia: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1960
Hawaii: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1971, or before January 1, 1972, who cannot show proof of a Hawaii hunting license issued before July 1, 1990
Idaho: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1974, unless they can show proof they held a license previously
Illinois: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979
Indiana: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986
Iowa: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972
Kansas: Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, unless they are 15 years old or younger and hunting under the direct supervision of an adult who is at least 18 years old
Kentucky: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1974
Louisiana: Anyone born after Aug. 31, 1969
Maine: Anyone, unless you can show proof of having previously held an adult license or having completed a hunter safety course
Maryland: Junior licensees who buy a hunting license; other hunters, unless they show proof they held a license issued before July 1, 1977
Massachusetts: All first-time hunters
Michigan: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1959
Minnesota: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979
Mississippi: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1971
Missouri: Anyone 11 to 15 years old who hunts alone with a firearm; anyone at least 16 years old who was born after Dec. 31, 1966, who buys a firearms season hunting permit
Montana: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985
Nebraska: Hunters 12 to 29 years old who hunts with a firearm or airgun
Nevada: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1960
New Hampshire: Any first-time hunter
New Jersey: Anyone who has never had a hunting license
New Mexico: Hunters under 18 years old who apply for/buy a firearms hunting license
New York: Hunters at least 12 years old, unless they can show proof they held a license previously
North Carolina: Any first-time hunter and anyone under 16 years old who plans to hunt without an adult
North Dakota: Anyone born after 1961
Ohio: All first-time hunters, except those using an apprentice license and hunting with an adult
Oklahoma: Anyone 10 to 30 years old, except those under 30 who are using an apprentice license and hunting with a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years old and has completed hunter education
Oregon: Hunters under 18 years old
Pennsylvania: All first-time hunters and trappers
Rhode Island: All hunters
South Carolina: Anyone born after June 30, 1979
South Dakota: Hunters under 16 years old
Tennessee: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1968
Texas: Anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971
Utah: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1965
Vermont: Anyone, unless they can show proof of having a hunting license from another state or province
Virginia: Hunters 12 to 15 years old and all first-time hunters
Washington: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972
West Virginia: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1974
Wisconsin: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1972
Wyoming: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1965, unless they are enrolled in the Hunter Mentor Program