Hunter Education Class Requirements
Hunter Education is available to youth starting at age 9. Hunter Education is required for youth under the age of 14 to hunt big game in Arizona.
Youth under 14 can enter the draw without having Hunter Education but must complete Hunter Education prior to their hunt. Youth hunters can purchase a hunting license without having attended Hunter Education and hunt small game. Youth must be 10 years old to hunt big game in Arizona. Register now— in-person classes fill up quickly!
Complete Hunter Education Class in Arizona
Courses must be completed 30 days prior to a draw deadline to receive the bonus point for that draw. You can only receive a hunter education bonus point OR Ethically Hunting Arizona conservation education bonus point, not both.
Hunter Education Certification Courses
| Course | Description | Availability | Hunter Education Certification Card | Bonus Point Awarded | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Hunter Education Classroom Course | The Arizona Hunter Education Classroom course consists of classroom instruction followed by a hands-on field day . This classroom course and field day can be delivered by certified Department staff or Arizona Hunter Education Volunteer Instructors. | Anyone age 9 and up | YES | YES | Generally Free Max $8 |
| Arizona Hunter Education Field Day | Included in the Arizona Hunter Education Classroom Course but also available (not required) for students who complete the Arizona Hunter Education Virtual Course who are encouraged to attend. This field day can be delivered by certified Department staff or Arizona Hunter Education Volunteer Instructors. | Anyone age 9 and up | N/A | N/A | Generally Free Max $8 |
| Arizona Hunter Education Online Course | The Arizona Hunter Education Virtual course is a self-paced online course that includes all course standards and is approved by IHEA. | Limited to Arizona Residents | YES | YES | Basic – $29.95 I Learn to Hunt – $49.95 |
Conservation Education Bonus Point Courses
| Course | Description | Availability | Hunter Education Certification Card | Bonus Point Awarded | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethically Hunting Arizona | Ethically Hunting Arizona is an online course providing Arizona specific content focusing on: hunter ethics, wildlife management, species ID, land status, field care of harvested game, safety, and rules and regulations. | Adults (18+) | NO | YES | Res – $150 Nonres – $300 |
Classroom courses
The Arizona Hunter Education Classroom course consists of classroom instruction followed by a hands-on field day.
Taught by certified Hunter Education instructors.
online courses
The Arizona Hunter Education Online course is a self-paced fully online course that includes all hunter education standards and is approved by IHEA. This course may only be completed by Arizona residents. The online course is offered in two formats, basic and interactive. See links below to determine which is best for you.
field day
Included in the Classroom Course, the Field Day is available, but not required, to those who complete the Arizona Hunter Education Online course.
ethically hunting Arizona
Ethically Hunting Arizona is an innovative online course that provides hunters 18 and older with an opportunity to earn the conservation education bonus point. You will not receive a Hunter Education certification by completing this course.
Contact Hunter Education
Hunter Education FAQs
How many courses are there and which apply to me?
There are two hunter education course options. The Classroom Course is fully in-person and the Online Course is fully online with an optional in-person Field Day. The Classroom Course and Online Course award a hunter education bonus point and hunter education certification after successful completion.
The Ethically Hunting Arizona course is NOT Hunter Education but an expanded course that is Arizona specific to obtain a conservation education bonus point.
Classroom Course – Must be 9+ years old, can be resident or non-resident. In-person course covering Today’s Hunter workbook with a Field Day. Recommended for individuals new to hunting.
Online – Must be 9+ years old AND an Arizona resident.
Two options; ‘Hunter-ed.com ($29.95)’ & ‘ilearntohunt.com ($49.95)’. Both are self paced and fully online. ilearntohunt.com is more interactive for students who would benefit from more course engagement. Recommended for individuals with a hunting background.
Field Day – Must be 9+ years old who are enrolled in the Classroom Course or have completed the Online Course. The Field Day is recommended for graduates of the Online Course but not required.
Ethically Hunting Arizona – Must be 18+ years old, can be resident or non-resident. Online course that with successful completion awards a Lifetime Bonus Point. This course is NOT Hunter Education.
Do you need an AZGFD Account and Customer ID to register for Hunter Education?
Customers will need an AZGFD Account or be a dependent on their parent/guardians account. You can register here: https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register
Customer ID (CID) – Students will need to provide a Customer ID number found on their AZGFD Account. Students should provide this number ONLY on their Hunter Education class registration. When signing up, be sure to verify you entered you CID number correctly. This number is required to complete any registration.
If you need help accessing your CID, please stop into an office or call customer service at 602-942-3000, choose 7.
My point is not reflected in my portal account
Note that for both Hunter Education and Ethically Hunting Arizona the course must be completed 30 days prior to draw deadline day to be entered into our system and for your education bonus point to be applicable for the draw. If you do not complete the course within 30 days prior to deadline day your education bonus point will not be added to your portal account until at least 30 days after the draw deadline day.
If we are not in a draw period and it has been more than two weeks since completing your course, reach out to the Hunter Education staff with your name, date of birth and completion date at [email protected].
How do non-residents complete Arizona Hunter Education?
Non-residents are limited to the Classroom Course. Courses are occasionally offered over a weekend. Please check course offerings here: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/arizona/112-arizona-hunter-education-course for classroom availability.
Will my out of state hunter education certificate qualify for the Arizona education bonus point?
Out of state hunter education certification does not earn the Arizona education bonus point.
Arizona does recognize hunter education certificates from all other states which is required for youth under 14 to hunt big game in Arizona.
Become a Volunteer Hunter Educator
Arizona’s Hunter Education program strives to create a collaborative environment for volunteers, staff and partners to develop the best program for our customers. We believe in our program mission that: Through a quality educational experience we can develop/teach present and future hunters to be safe, ethical and responsible that will carry on the hunting heritage for future generations.
Volunteer Sign Up: https://volunteer.azgfd.gov/
Hunter Education Deferral Ended 2024
A policy implemented by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) that allowed students to defer from scheduling the in-person field day requirement of the Hunter Education program expired June 30, 2024.
If a resident student has taken the online course from Oct. 1, 2019 to Aug. 28, 2024, they will have until Dec. 31, 2024 to complete an in-person or virtual field day before their certificate expires, including the online course at no cost. A voucher was emailed to the student from Hunter-Ed.
Education through AZGFD
See resources for teachers, including lesson plans. Learn about hunter education, and classes to earn bonus points.
teacher resources
The goal of the AZGFD education program is to promote awareness, appreciation and stewardship of the state’s wildlife resources by using wildlife as a context for learning.
hunter education for bonus points
Classroom and online instruction, and field days for hunter education. Online “Ethically Hunting Arizona” class allows hunters to earn a lifetime bonus point.