HUNTER EDUCATION

Replacement Hunter & Bowhunter Education Card
If you have lost your hunter or bowhunter education certification card, you can print a temporary card and/or request a duplicate card to be sent by mail. Please use our online request form

Why Hunter Education?
Hunter Education provides a foundation for safe and responsible hunting.  Due to hunter education, hunting accidents have dropped significantly.  Each year some 18,000 individuals graduate from a hunter education course in Louisiana.  The major objectives of the hunter education program are:
Reduce hunting accidents
Improve the image of hunting through ethical and responsible conduct
Promote the shooting sports

What Is Taught In A Hunter Education Course?
Major subjects cover are:
Ethics and responsibility, wildlife management and conservation, understanding firearms and ammunition, safe firearms handling and personal safety in the outdoors.  Students are also required to participate in a live fire exercise and successfully complete a written exam. 

Who Is Required To Take The Hunter Education Course?
Act 149 of the 1984 Louisiana Legislature enacted a mandatory education requirement for anyone born on or after September 1, 1969. All hunters born on or after this date must successfully complete the course in order to hunt in the State of Louisiana. 

Hunters who plan to hunt out of state should check regulations for those states.  All 50 states now require some form of mandatory hunter education. 
REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER STATES

Who Can Participate?
Anyone can participate in the basic student course, but only those persons 10 years of age or older are eligible for certification. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a Louisiana Hunter Education Certification Card that is recognized by all states and provinces that require hunter education. 

How Much Does The Course Cost?
Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education courses are FREE.

How Do I Take A Hunter Education Course?
There are two ways to take a hunter education course:
STANDARD COURSE - This method requires a student to attend 10 hours of instructions provided by a certified hunter education instructor.
STANDARD COURSE LISTING

HOME STUDY - This method allows a student to take a hunter education course by studying the course material either on the internet or a CD-ROM at the students convenience.  To complete the process students are required to attend a FIELD DAY taught by a certified instructor.
HOME STUDY PROGRAM

Who Needs To Be Supervised While Hunting?
A person who is younger than 16 years of age may hunt without hunter education if accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older who has a valid hunting license or has proof of successful completion of a hunter education course.   
In addition all persons 10 and 11 years of age must be supervised by a person who is 18 years of age or older while hunting regardless as to whether they are hunter education certified or not.
       
Exemptions:
Active or veteran members of the U.S Armed Forces and any POST certified law enforcement officer can apply for a hunter education exemption to hunt in the State of Louisiana.
Contact 225/765-2932 for application procedures.

What Is A Hunter Education Deferral?  
A one time hunter education deferral license is available to anyone 16 years of age and older who has not already taken a hunter education course.  This license is valid for 30 consecutive days for residents and 5 consecutive days for non-residents.  It can be purchased only once in a life time and the user must be accompanied while hunting by an adult 18 years of age or older who has a valid hunting license or proof of successful completion of a hunter education course.       

Who teaches hunter education courses?
Courses are taught by Hunter Education staff and volunteer instructors. The majority of courses are taught by volunteers recruited from schools, law enforcement agencies, sportsmen's groups, and many other conservation-minded organizations. BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR

Where are hunter education courses offered?
The LDWF web site provides a listing of both standard and home study courses.  Follow the links show below.   

HOME STUDY PROGRAM

BOWHUNTER

PRIMITIVE FIREARMS

REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER STATES

TRAPPER EDUCATION

BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR