Hunter Education Class Requirements

No one under the age of 14 may hunt big game without completing a Hunter Education course. No one under age 10 may hunt big game in Arizona. While you must be 10 years of age to hunt big game, you may complete Hunter Education at the age of 9. However, the Hunter Education completion card and certificate do not become valid until the child’s 10th birthday.

Hunter Education is not required for anyone 14 years of age or older in order to hunt in Arizona. Any individual 9 years of age or older may complete a Hunter Education course offered through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Youth big game hunters need a Hunter Education card to hunt. They do not need a Hunter Education card to apply for the draw, only a hunting license. Youth hunters can purchase a hunting license without having attended Hunter Education. Register now. Hunter Education classes fill up very quickly!

**Hunter Education Deferral Ends

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. 

To better serve the needs of its resident students, AZGFD is offering two new online options — Hunter-Ed Course and ilearntohunt. These options will allow resident students to fully complete their certification online should they decide not to choose a classroom course, or the online curriculum paired with an in-person field day.

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. Those resident students will be able to virtually complete their Hunter Education certification for no additional cost (a voucher will be emailed to the resident student within the next two weeks).

Any individual 9 or older may complete a Hunter Education course offered through AZGFD. To hunt big game in Arizona, youth under 14 must complete Hunter Education. Hunter Education is not required for anyone 14 and older to hunt in Arizona.

Complete Hunter Education Class in Arizona

Hunter Education is not required for anyone 14 years of age or older in order to hunt in Arizona.

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.

hybrid course

The Arizona Hunter Education Hybrid course includes a self-paced online course AND an in-person field day. You must complete the online course before signing up for field day.

Sign up for online course

bonus point field day course

Adults, 18 and older, who have a minimum of three years of hunting experience may complete the Arizona Hunter Education online course and an in-person field practical. The field practical will test your knowledge of safe, legal, ethical hunting in the field.
Sign up for online course

online courses

It’s easier to become certified by AZGFD’s Hunter Education program. These self-paced courses may only be completed by Arizona residents.

Hunter-Ed Course
OR
ilearntohunt

ethically hunting arizona

Ethically Hunting Arizona is an innovative online course that provides hunters 18 and older with an opportunity to earn the education lifetime bonus point. You will not receive a Hunter Education certification by completing this course.

Contact Hunter Education

azhuntereducation@azgfd.gov
623 236-7235

Hunter Education FAQs

all hunter education classes requirements and content

Classroom courses, online course field day and bonus point field test

Requirements: Preregistration is required for all Hunter Education class formats. While you must be 10 years of age to hunt big game you may complete Hunter Education at the age of 9 however, the Hunter Education completion card and certificate does not become valid until the child’s 10th birthday.

Customer ID – Students will need to provide a Customer ID number.  Students should provide this number ONLY on their Hunter Education class registration.  This number is required to complete any registration.

Purpose: The purpose of the hunter education program is about more than safety. It is also to develop responsible, knowledgeable and involved hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically.

Course Content: At a minimum your hunter education course will include the following topics:

  • Responsibility, safety, skills
  • Funding sources
  • Conservation, fair chase, fair share, hunters’ ethics and hunters’ image
  • Planning and preparation, maps and compasses, survival skills, coping with extreme weather and basic first aid
  • Firearm safety, nomenclature, function, handling and shot-selection
  • Wildlife conservation, management and identification
  • Marksmanship, rifle and shotgun shooting, hunting strategies, vital shots and care of game
  • Arizona hunting laws and regulations and licensing

If you can’t find a Hunter Education class: Our courses are conducted by volunteers. As volunteers are able to conduct courses in your area our website will be updated each Tuesday with new offerings.

what additional resources are available once I complete hunter education

The award-winning Outdoor Skills Network is your one-stop source for hands-on, in-the-field, “learn how to hunt” events. If you’re a beginner wanting to learn and gain more knowledge about hunting, outdoor skills, wildlife conservation, ethics, safety and more – look no further.

Outdoor Skills Network

duplicate hunter education card

Visit ilostmycard.com – You will need to provide your name and date of birth.  If your records cannot be found, call the HE helpline or email our dedicated address at azhuntereducation@azgfd.gov

My point is not reflected in my portal account

My point isn’t reflected on my portal account: If it has been more than two weeks since completing Ethically Hunting Arizona or a month since graduating from Hunter Education, reach out to the Hunter Education staff with your name, date of birth and completion date at either azhuntereducation@azgfd.gov or 623-236-7235. 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 lifetime bonus point to be applicable for the draw. If you do not complete the course within 30 days prior to deadline day your lifetime bonus point will not be added to your portal account until at least 30 days after the draw deadline day.

Hunter ed certification from another state

Will Arizona accept Hunter Education certification from another state? Yes, but it is not accepted for a bonus point.

I’m going hunting in another state that requires Hunter Education: Only Arizona Hunter Education courses will get you the necessary certification. Arizona Hunter Education requires an in person component.  All states accept all other states Hunter Education certifications. If you have Hunter Education from any state it will be accepted.

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.

Hunter education instructor portal

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.

see resources

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.

register for a class

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