Game and Fish Unveils Exciting New Choices for Hunter Education Courses

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is introducing two online courses aimed at enhancing hunter certification accessibility for residents. The new Hunter-Ed Course and ilearntohunt initiatives are designed to streamline the necessary requirements for aspiring hunters.

According to Game and Fish, these options allow students to complete their certification entirely online if they opt out of traditional classroom settings. “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 finish either an in-person or virtual field day before their certificate expires,” a spokesperson said. Those eligible will receive a voucher via email within the next two weeks, with no additional costs for virtual completion.

Participation in the hunter education course is open to individuals aged 9 and older. However, to hunt big game in Arizona, participants must be at least 10 years old. Notably, all hunters under 14 years must complete hunter education, while those aged 14 and above are exempt.

For those who prefer traditional learning, courses are offered in a classroom format as well as in a hybrid model, which necessitates a hands-on field day and exam. Typically, these classroom sessions require around 16 hours of instruction, with field days averaging four hours.

Classes and field days are facilitated by volunteer instructors who schedule sessions according to their availability. These events are publicly posted two to four weeks before they commence, and are held at local shooting ranges, with a limited number of slots available for field days and bonus-point tests.

Details for all courses can be found at azgfd.gov/HunterEd. Registration for each format—be it in-person, online, or hybrid—must be done online. The website is updated every Tuesday with current classroom and field day opportunities.

Game and Fish emphasizes the broader goals of hunter education, stating, “It’s about developing responsible, knowledgeable, and involved hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and adhering to ethical standards.”