Official Wisconsin Hunter Safety Course Online

Take your official Wisconsin hunter safety course with Hunter-Ed™, an online provider approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the only safety course provider that develops print materials for government agencies responsible for hunting laws and regulations. Study online at your own pace, complete your state’s requirements, and earn a Hunter Education Safety Certificate that’s valid for life.

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Do I Need Hunter Education in Wisconsin?

Requirements
Born on or after January 1, 1973
WI DNR Customer ID required  
Online students under 18 must complete an in-person Field Day  

In Wisconsin, anyone born on or after January 1, 1973, generally needs hunter education on file to purchase a hunting license unless they qualify through a WI DNR-recognized alternative or hunt under the Mentored Hunting Program. Students 18 and older can complete certification fully online, while students under 18 using the online path must complete the online course and required Field Day. 

4 Easy Steps

How to Get Your Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate

01

Sign Up

Create your Hunter-Ed account, obtain your WI DNR Customer ID, pay the course fee, and get started with your official Wisconsin hunter safety course. Students under 18 must also enroll in an in-person Field Day before completing the Online + Field Day course.

02

Complete the Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet, or mobile. Your progress saves automatically so you can study at your own pace.

03

Complete State Requirements

Students 18 and older can complete certification fully online. Students under 18 must bring their Field Day Course Completion Voucher to their scheduled Field Day and pass the required in-person exam and skills assessment.

04

Go Hunting!

Once certified, get the Wisconsin license and approvals required for your hunt. Qualifying resident first-time graduates may use their certificate as a small game license through March 31 of the following year.

Hunter Education Built for the Field

Clear instruction and state-specific content make firearm safety, hunting ethics, laws, and conservation easier to understand and remember, with most students finishing in 3–4 hours.

Learn the fundamentals of safe firearm handling and use, along with the core safety practices every responsible hunter should know. 

Understand the responsibilities that come with hunting, including ethical practices, safe decision-making, and respect for landowners. 

Learn the laws, rules, and regulations Wisconsin hunters are responsible for understanding and following in the field. 

Understand wildlife conservation and management, including the important role hunters play in supporting healthy wildlife populations. 

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Learn Through True-to-Field Scenarios

ilearntohunt takes a more hands-on approach to online hunter education, using real-life scenarios and decision-based lessons that ask you to think through the choices you’d make in the field. It’s a practical way to build the judgment you need for safe, legal hunting while working toward certification.

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Popular Questions

How do I get a Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate? 

Complete the Wisconsin Hunter-Ed online course and meet the requirements for your age. Students 18 and older can complete certification online, while students under 18 must also attend and pass the required in-person Field Day. 

Who needs hunter education in Wisconsin? 

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1973, generally must have an accepted hunter education credential on file to purchase a Wisconsin hunting license. WI DNR-recognized alternatives and the Mentored Hunting Program may apply in certain cases. 

How much does the Wisconsin Hunter-Ed course cost?

The Wisconsin Hunter-Ed online course costs $28.95. You’ll also pay a $10 WI DNR fee. 

What is the minimum age for Wisconsin hunter education? 

Students of any age may take the Online + Field Day course. The online-only certification option is available to students age 18 and older. 

Is my Hunter Education Safety Certificate the same as a Wisconsin hunting license?

Generally, no. Your Hunter Education Safety Certificate proves that you completed hunter education, but you still need the appropriate license and approvals for your hunt. However, qualifying Wisconsin resident first-time graduates may use their certificate in place of a small game hunting license from the date of issuance through March 31 of the following year. 

How long does the Wisconsin Hunter-Ed course take? 

Most students complete the online-only Hunter-Ed course in about 3–4 hours. Students taking the Online + Field Day path should also plan for an in-person Field Day lasting approximately 4–6 hours. 

Do I have to live in Wisconsin to take this course?

No. You do not have to be a Wisconsin resident to take the Wisconsin Hunter-Ed course. 

Is Hunter-Ed approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources? 

Yes. Hunter-Ed is an approved online hunter education provider for WI DNR. 

What happens if I fail a quiz or an exam?

You can retake the online unit quizzes until you pass and must score at least 80%. Students 18 and older taking the online-only course must also score at least 80% on the Final Exam and have unlimited attempts to pass. 

Do I have to take a final exam?

Students 18 and older taking the online-only course complete a Final Exam at the end of the course and must score at least 80%. Students taking the Online + Field Day path complete their final exam and hands-on skills assessment in person. 

What do I receive after completing the online course?

Online-only students can immediately print an Online-Only Hunter Education Course Completion Certificate. Students using the Field Day path can print a Field Day Course Completion Voucher to bring to their in-person Field Day. 

When will I receive my permanent Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate?

Online-only students can access and print their permanent Hunter Education Safety Certificate from their WI DNR Student Dashboard the following month. Field Day students receive instructions for accessing their permanent certificate after successfully completing the Field Day. 

Does my Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate expire?

No. Your Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate is valid for life. 

Will my Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate be accepted in other states?

Yes. WI DNR states that its hunter education certificate is accepted in every U.S. state, as well as Canada and Mexico. Wisconsin also recognizes qualifying hunter education completed in other states, provinces, and countries. 

How do I replace or check my Wisconsin Hunter Education Safety Certificate?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Hunter Education Safety Certificate, go to https://gowild.wi.gov/lookupaccount. 

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Official & Approved

Trusted by over 2 Million Hunters since 2002

For more than 20 years, Hunter-Ed has delivered official hunter education. We also work with government agencies to support the education materials hunters rely on. In Wisconsin, our course is approved by WDNR and built to meet the state’s hunter education requirements.

Get Certified for the Hunt Ahead 

Complete your WI DNR-approved hunter safety course and take the next step toward hunting in Wisconsin.

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