Hunter Education

Please click here to register for classes or to view class and field day schedules.

Replacement Hunter Education Card

If you have lost your hunter or bowhunter education certification card, you can print a new card.  To print a new hunter education card, click the link below,  log into your account, click ‘View Your Certifications’, then click ‘Get Your Certificate’.

Replacement Hunter Education Card

Why hunter education?

The Louisiana Hunter Education Course is much more than hunter safety. It is a course with something for everyone interested in firearms, hunting, and conservation.

The goals of the program are to prevent hunting accidents and ensure the future of hunting by teaching hunters about their responsibilities and role in conservation. Much of the course covers firearm safety, but responsibility, ethics, wildlife conservation, and outdoor safety are also covered.

The Hunter Education Program was developed by LDWF and has helped make hunting a safe activity. In fact, hunting is one of the safest outdoor recreational activities in terms of injuries per 100,000 participants. Hunter education training is available to everyone, regardless of race, sex, age or national origin.

Who needs hunter education?

Every hunter is encouraged to take hunter education. However, Louisiana law requires all hunters born on or after September 1, 1969 receive Hunter Education Certification from an LDWF-approved course prior to hunting in Louisiana, unless they are under direct supervision of a qualified person.

For supervision purposes, a qualified person is a Louisiana licensed hunter born before September 1, 1969, or a person 18 years of age or older who has proof of Hunter Education Certification from an approved course. Direct supervision means the supervising person is in direct line of sight and within normal voice contact of the hunter, they are supervising.

The minimum age for Hunter Education Certification in Louisiana is 10 years old. However, it is required 10 and 11 year-olds be supervised while hunting, even if they have received Hunter Education Certification. Youth younger than 10 years old may take the course, but they are not eligible to be certified and will have to retake the course to obtain certification when they reach 10 years of age or older.

Active or veteran members of the United States armed forces or any current POST-certified law enforcement officer may apply for a Louisiana hunter education exemption.  If granted, the applicant will be provided with a hunter education exemption card that is valid in Louisiana only. Applications for exemptions may be filed at the LDWF Education Program office in Baton Rouge (225-765-2932) or most field offices. Click here to download a Military/Police Exemption application form.

States have differing hunter education requirements, so hunters planning trips to other states should check the hunter education requirements of their destination state well in advance of their trip. For instance, hunters traveling to Colorado must have hunter education certification if they were born on or after January 1, 1949. The Louisiana Hunter Education Certification is honored in all states and Canadian provinces.

About the Course

The Louisiana Hunter Education Certification course is offered in 2 formats. The first format is a 10-hour classroom format that is usually held over 2-3 days. The second format recommended only for students 14 years of age and older, is a home study format that consists of two parts: an online class that can be taken at the student’s own pace, followed by a 5-hour field-day class. Both formats cover firearm and hunting safety, wildlife management principles, ethics, game identification, and outdoor survival. Students must successfully complete a live-fire exercise with both formats. Firearms and ammunition are provided for the live-fire exercise so students should not bring their own.

Upon successful completion of either format, students will receive their permanent, certification via email (at the address they provided during registration).  Students can also print their cards by accessing their LDWF account and clicking “View Your Certifications.”

Who can participate?

The minimum age for Hunter Education Certification in Louisiana is 10 years old. However, it is required 10 and 11 year-olds be supervised while hunting, even if they have received Hunter Education Certification. Youth younger than 10 years old may take the course, but they are not eligible to be certified and will have to retake the course to obtain certification when they reach 10 years of age or older.

How much does the course cost?

Who teaches hunter education courses?

Courses are taught by LDWF Education Program staff and volunteer instructors. The majority of courses are taught by volunteers who donate their time to teach hunter education. Volunteers undergo background checks and receive training and oversight from LDWF staff.

Do I need bowhunter education?

Bowhunter education courses are offered through LDWF. Although not mandatory in Louisiana, this course does provide a bowhunter with training that will make a safer and more competent bowhunter. Some states do require bowhunter education before bowhunting in that state. Check the regulations of other states before you hunt.

How do I register for a course?

Click here to register for a classroom course or field day course. You can also call a Hunter Education Field Office. Most classes require advance registration.

Click here to access the approved online course.

Did you know?

Next time you renew your driver’s license at the Office of Motor Vehicles, you can add the following endorsements to your license; Lifetime Hunting, Lifetime Fishing, Lifetime Combination, Boater Education and Hunter Education.