AZGFD Introduces New Online Hunter Education Certification Courses

3 min read

HuntReminder Team • August 29, 2024

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has launched two new online options for completing Hunter Education certification: the Hunter-Ed Course and ilearntohunt. These new options provide flexibility for residents who prefer to complete their certification entirely online, without needing to attend a classroom course or participate in an in-person field day.

For more details on these options, visit www.azgfd.gov/HunterEd.

Certification Requirements and Deadlines

Students who completed an online course between October 1, 2019, and August 28, 2024, have until December 31, 2024, to complete an in-person or virtual field day before their certificate expires. These students can complete their Hunter Education certification online at no additional cost, with a voucher being emailed to them within the next two weeks.

Anyone aged 9 or older can enroll in a Hunter Education course through AZGFD. Youth under 14 must complete Hunter Education to hunt big game in Arizona, while those aged 14 and older are not required to do so.

Learning Options and Volunteer Instructors

Students may also choose traditional classroom instruction or a hybrid model, both of which include a hands-on field day and an exam. Classroom courses typically take place on weekends and weeknights, consisting of 16 hours of in-person instruction, with field days lasting about four hours.

All classroom courses and field days are led by volunteer instructors, who schedule classes based on their availability. Classes are usually posted two to four weeks in advance, and field days are conducted at local shooting ranges. Currently, there are a limited number of field days and bonus-point field tests available.

Information on all classroom courses and field days, including registration, is available online at www.azgfd.gov/HunterEd. The website is updated every Tuesday with new course and field day listings.

Purpose of Hunter Education

The Hunter Education program goes beyond safety, aiming to develop responsible, knowledgeable, and ethical hunters who understand the importance of following hunting laws and conducting themselves appropriately in the field.

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