Apprentice Hunter Program
The Apprentice Hunter Program is for hunters who would like to share their joy of hunting with a friend or relative, or for the curious who would like to try hunting before making the commitment to take hunter education.
To help introduce adults to hunting, the Conservation Department now allows hunters age 16 and older who are not hunter-ed certified to hunt with firearms, as long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- First purchase the Apprentice Hunter Authorization for $10 (Good for one year. See note below).
- Then purchase a firearms hunting permit for the season they want to hunt; for example, a Small Game Permit, Spring Turkey Permit, etc.
- Hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed, hunter-ed certified hunter 18 years old or older, or who was born before January 1, 1967. “Immediate presence” means close enough for normal conversation, without shouting.
Note: The Apprentice Hunter Authorization allows the holder to purchase firearms permits throughout the permit year, and it can be purchased for two permit years. After the second year, the apprentice hunter will be required to become hunter-education certified if he or she wants to continue hunting on a firearms permit.
Missouri is a leader in hunter recruitment, and the Apprentice Hunter Authorization is just one more tool to help you share your hunting knowledge and tradition with your friends and family. Encourage your apprentices to attend a hunter education class or take the online course.
