Standard 2-day Hunter Education Class

Thanks to hunter education, hunting is safe and getting safer! Hunter education covers the skills, regulations and responsibilities of hunting, wildlife conservation and the outdoors.

Every year, over 30,000 youth and adults in Texas become certified in hunter education – a certification that lasts a lifetime and is recognized by all states and provinces requiring hunter education. Join the ranks of today’s hunter education graduates who are ensuring the future of our hunting heritage!

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15, plus the cost of entry to the gun show.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

  • under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.

  • age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.

  • age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral” and you must be accompanied*.

Please note that some federally controlled areas require all hunters using that site to have hunter education certification. In Texas, this includes Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations. Be sure to check with the specific area prior to going hunting.

Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The one-time Hunter Education Deferral is available at license vendors and went into effect September 1, 2004.

* Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

One-day Field Course

Online Study Options: (choose one)

Taken after completing an online course, the required One-Day Field Course includes a skills trail, live firing exercise, ethics presentation, review and final exam. The field course is typically 4 to 6 hours. You must pre-register for this course with the instructor.

Upon arrival at the test site:

  • Show your quiz results from the TPWD or IHEA course or the Field Day Qualifier Exam Certificate from the Today’s Hunter in Texas online course to the instructor.

  • Fill out a student registration form.

  • Pay the $15 state fee to the instructor.

  • Complete a hunter skills trail and a live firing exercise.

  • Attend a minimum one-hour presentation on ethics, responsibility and game laws.

  • After all field and live fire exercises are completed, review material.

  • Take the written exam and get at least 80% correct to pass.

  • Upon successful completion, you will receive a temporary card. Your instructor will send in the originals for processing. You may legally hunt with a valid license and your temporary certification card. Your permanent card will be mailed out within a short period of time.