Hunter Education Requirements

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries News

Hunter Education Requirements

Oct. 11, 2013 — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds hunters that they must have successfully completed an approved Hunter Education class prior to hunting if they were born on or after September 1, 1969.

Younger hunters may hunt without Hunter Education certification if they are under the direct supervision of a person 18 years or older who has proof of Hunter Education certification or are directly supervised by a person born prior to September 1, 1969 and who has a valid hunting license.  Direct supervision means the hunter is within hearing distance of a normal voice and in direct line of sight of the supervising adult.

The Louisiana Hunter Education Program certifies about 18,000 hunters annually and provides the foundation for safe and responsible hunting.  The Hunter Education course covers firearms and outdoor safety, wildlife management and ethics.   Courses include a live-fire exercise and participants must demonstrate safe firearm handling skills.  Hunting accidents have dropped significantly since Hunter Education became mandatory in 1984.

Two options are available for taking Hunter Education.  Students may attend a traditional classroom course that consists of 10 hours of instruction, usually taught over 2-3 days.  Alternatively, students may take the home study version available on-line or by CD-Rom.  Hunters who choose the home study version must also attend a mandatory 6-hour field day event.

There is no minimum age for attending a Hunter Education course; however, persons under 10 years old cannot receive Hunter Education certification.  The Louisiana Hunter Education certification is recognized and accepted in all 50 states.

There is no charge for the classroom course or CD-ROM version of the home study course.  There is a $15 charge to take the on-line version of the home course.   Home study CD-ROMs are available from LDWF Education Program offices.

To register for a class or to learn more about Hunter Education in Louisiana, visit www.wlf.la.gov/hunting/hunter-education .   There are multiple websites offering Hunter Education information and class schedules, however, some of these contain outdated information and schedules.  Hunters are advised to refer only to the department’s website or links accessed from the department website for current and reliable Hunter Education information.

For more information, contact Fred Kimmel at 225-765-2355 or fkimmel@wlf.la.gov.

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