Training safe, responsible hunters
Search for Hunter and Bowhunter Education Classes
Nothing is more important than ensuring hunters return home safely from their hunting trips. Achieving that goal is one of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s top priorities. Since 1957, the Conservation Department has provided hunter education classes to enable state residents to become safe, responsible hunters. The training has helped reduce Missouri’s hunting accident rate by over 80 percent. In 2006, Missouri certified its one millionth student and continues to deliver up to date training and certification through its approximately 2,300 volunteer and staff instructors.
The goal of hunter education training
Hunter education provides a foundation in hunting safety and ethics that helps hunters focus on more than just being successful in the pursuit of game. The basic goals of the course, which are to develop students who are:
- safe with firearms in the field and at home
- respectful of other people and property
- law-abiding and
- aware of hunting as a resource management tool
Hunter education strives to instill responsibility, improve skills and knowledge, and encourage the involvement of beginner and veteran hunters. Responsible, ethical behavior and personal involvement are both essential to the survival of hunting
The hunter education class
This course is recommended for motivated students age 14 and older with good reading and comprehension skills who have some firearm and hunting knowledge or experience. However, students 11 years old and older may be tested and certified in this course. Study materials and tests used are on the 14 age level and students are recommended to go to our Online Hunter Education Course and pre-study, take the reviews and practice tests for free before attending. Students 15 and younger must bring a birth certificate or other proof of age to the course.
Parents should remember youth in Missouri under 16 years of age now have the opportunity to hunt any legal species through our youth and mentor programs without being Hunter Education Certified. Youth under 16 years of age must hunt with an adult mentor that is properly licensed and meets the requirements and follows the prescribed regulations.
You will receive a minimum of 10-hours of classroom training, plus additional time for testing and other classroom discussion usually taught in two or three sessions. Topics covered include:
- hunter responsibility and ethics
- how firearms work and firearm safety
- wildlife identification, game care, survival and first aid skills
- firearm handling skills and hunting techniques
- awareness about wildlife conservation and management
- rules and information unique to Missouri
At the end of the class you will take a written examination. You need a score of 80 percent to pass the course. Most students pass the test on their first attempt.
Hunter education is not just for kids and not just for hunters. The program is for all folks who enjoy the outdoors and have an interest in conservation. The course can also be an excellent refresher for veteran hunters.
On-line hunter education
Take the written part of your test online and attend a field day to get your certification.
Prevent Treestand Falls–Learn How Online!
Across the nation, the number of treestand-related falls grows every year. Injuries range from twisted ankles to paralysis and, all too often, death. To help you master treestand safety, we have linked up with HunterExam.com, HE Tools™ and TMA (The Treestand Manufacturers Association) to provide you with a free Treestand Safety Course online. This course is based on TMA's latest treestand safety standards and guidelines, which show that practices considered safe ten years ago simply won't protect today's hunters. The course is fully interactive, narrated and takes just 15 minutes to complete. Best of all, the course is free to anyone with an Internet connection! Just click on this link and get started.
Next Generation of Conservation
Talk About Conservation Education
Part of a healthy childhood is getting outdoors and exploring nature. Learn how you can help kids get into nature at home, schools and nature centers. Share your comments too.
Who must be Hunter Education Certified?
- If you plan to hunt with a firearm alone, you were born on or after January 1, 1967 or are 16 years of age or older, you will need to take and pass a hunter education course or purchase a Apprentice Hunter Authorization before you can buy a permit. You must be at least 11-years-old to take the Missouri Hunter Education Class..
- Anyone mentoring a firearms hunter who is not hunter education certified and not hunting on a landowner permit, all mentors, including landowners and lessees hunting on their own land, must be at least 18 years old and hunter education certified unless they were born before January 1, 1967.
MDC recommends that all hunters take hunter education. To learn more about the program contact the outdoor skills specialist in your area.
