How to Get Your 2026 Indiana Hunter Education Course Online in 3 Easy Steps
As you plan for your upcoming hunting season in Indiana, remember that the state requires all hunters born after December 31, 1986, to pass a hunter education course before buying a hunting license.
Why is hunter education required? What you'll learn through a hunter safety course helps you stay safe and protect others in the field. You'll learn proper firearm handling, valuable safety essentials, why hunters wear blaze orange for visibility, tree stand safety, the hunting laws for your state, and more.
So, if you're planning a hunt in Indiana in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take an approved hunter education course online and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Indiana?
All hunters born after December 31, 1986, must pass a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in Indiana.
This certification is required before purchasing a hunting license. The state of Indiana offers two options to get certified to meet this requirement.
1. Classroom Instruction
Hunters can take an in-person classroom course with an instructor covering hunter ethics and responsibility, safe firearm handling, game identification, and more.
Depending on the course session you choose, you'll attend 1-3 sessions and a minimum of 10 hours to complete the course. You must complete all hours for the class and pass the final written exam to receive your certification.
The in-person class is offered free through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Choose a course on a date and at a location that's most convenient to you. Be sure to plan ahead to complete it ahead of the hunting season, with plenty of time to get your hunting license before your hunt.
2. Online Course
If an in-person course isn't convenient for you, Indiana allows hunters to take an online course. Hunter-Ed is the only approved provider for this course.
After completing the course and passing all quizzes and exams, you'll print your temporary Hunter Education Certificate. This certificate is good for 60 days and allows you to hunt legally in Indiana right away!
Then, within 2-3 weeks, you'll receive your permanent hunter education card in the mail.
The Hunter-Ed online course is the most convenient way to meet the IDNR's hunter education requirements.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 Indiana Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Indiana hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters born after December 31, 1986, must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Indiana.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that as the only online course approved by the IDNR! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, combination hunting and fishing, disabled American veteran, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the GoOutdoorsIN Activity Hub website, in person through an approved license vendor, or by mailing in an application. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Don't forget to carry your license and any necessary tags, stamps, or permits when hunting.
Next, let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the Indiana Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in Indiana is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
The Hunter-Ed course:
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and IDNR.
- Available anywhere you can connect to the internet using a phone, computer, or tablet.
- Is available in English and Spanish.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Includes games, illustrations, videos, animations, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. You'll need to score at least 80% on the quizzes and final exam to pass.
- Allows you to work at your own pace and start and stop as needed (i.e., it saves your progress)!
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Hunter-Ed course is the only IDNR-approved online course!
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the final exam, you've met the hunter education requirements!
In your Hunter-Ed student portal, print your temporary Hunter Education Certificate. You'll receive your permanent card from the IDNR in about 2-3 weeks. But you can hunt right away with your temporary card.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is a crucial document.
Always carry it when you hunt (along with your hunting license) as proof that you completed the Indiana hunter education course. Be prepared to show it to wildlife officials if they ask for it during a hunt.
Don't worry if you lose your card! Visit the ilostmycard website to order a replacement card.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Indiana Hunting License in 2026
Your Indiana hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year, unless you have a lifetime license. Indiana hunting licenses are valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
Buy an Indiana Hunting License Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be especially convenient if you don't live close to a retail location, or you plan to hunt in Indiana while you're a resident of another state.
Note: there is a $3 tech fee per license and a credit card fee when purchasing online.
Buy Through the Mail
Hunters can order a hunting license through the mail. Send the required information to:
Licenses
DNR Customer Service Center
402 W. Washington St., Rm. W160
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
The information to include is:
- Your Name
- Date of birth
- A copy of your hunter education certificate or card if born after Dec. 31, 1986
- Your complete address, city, state, zip, phone number
- Your height, weight, color of hair, and color of eyes
- The last four digits of your Social Security number (this is mandatory)
- Specify the licenses, including the season (i.e., deer for muzzleloader)
You must also include a check or money order (payable to Indiana DNR), or credit card information (include number, CVV, and expiration date) to Indiana DNR for the license fees, including a $1 tech fee for each license.
Buy In Person at a Retailer
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the State of Indiana has plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses.
Use the IDNR website to find a retailer location near you. In general, Wal-Mart stores, hardware stores, sporting goods stores, and similar locations offer hunting licenses in Indiana.
You can also stop by the The DNR Customer Service Center:
Indiana Government Center South
402 W. Washington St., Room W160
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Customer Service hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. You'll need to pay with a debit or credit card or a check, or a money order. No cash.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Before you ever buy a tag or head into the woods, a hunter education course makes sure you’re ready. Whether this is your first season or you’ve been hunting for decades, it helps you stay sharp and do things the right way.
Hunter education covers the fundamentals that matter most, including safe firearm handling and smart decision-making in real-world hunting situations. It’s practical, no-nonsense knowledge that protects you, your hunting partners, and everyone else sharing the field. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure everyone gets home safe.
You’ll also pick up skills you’ll actually use, like navigating to and from hunting spots, handling basic first aid, and responding to unexpected situations outdoors. Just as important, hunter education reinforces respect for landowners, other hunters, and the wildlife we’re fortunate to pursue.
Hunter education is about responsibility and ethics. It’s about protecting the resource and preserving the hunting tradition so it remains strong for the next generation.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Many states honor hunter education reciprocity, meaning they’ll accept a hunter safety card from another state to meet their requirements. That’s a big plus if you’ve already taken a course and plan to travel and hunt elsewhere.
For example, a Texas hunter education course won’t cover Indiana regulations. Every state has its own seasons, laws, and safety requirements, and those details matter once you’re in the field.
So, before you assume an out-of-state course has you covered, take a few hours and complete the Indiana Hunter-Ed course. It’s time well spent and helps ensure you’re hunting safely, legally, and with confidence when it matters most.
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
You get more with Hunter-Ed!
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know to hunt safely (while meeting the IDNR's requirements), but you also get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive offering from Hunter-Ed, and it's completely free for students!
As soon as you purchase your course, you unlock complete access to:
- Digital Hunting Tools: Hunter-proven resources at a discount (including app subscriptions) to help you hunt more successfully.
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Visit links to informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Build your skills by taking additional courses (at a discount) to help you learn about things like archery and saddle hunting.
- Hunting Regulations: Find links to learn about the hunting regulations for Indiana each year.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include contests to win free stuff and gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money).
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Indiana with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Indiana hunter safety course online. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the Indiana hunter education course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Indiana?
Yes, you need hunter education in Indiana to hunt legally if you were born after December 31, 1986.
Q: Can you take the Indiana Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the Indiana hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. Hunter-Ed is the only approved online course!
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for your hunter education course to complete it with at least a few weeks to spare before your hunting season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify for hunter safety every season. Your Indiana hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in the state after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is valid for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $34.95. This cost includes the course and study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in fines and other penalties. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
