NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 8, 2025
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has made it easier to complete the requirements necessary to become certified by the department’s Hunter Education program.
To better serve the needs of its resident students, AZGFD offers two online options — Hunter-Ed Course and ilearntohunt. These options 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.
For more information about these options, visit www.azgfd.gov/HunterEd.
Any individual 9 or older may complete a Hunter Education course offered through AZGFD. Hunter Education is not required for anyone 14 or older to hunt in Arizona. It is only required for hunters between the ages of 10 and 14 who are hunting big game. Note: Hunter Education certification from another state meets Arizona’s Hunter Education requirements.
Students may continue to take Hunter Education through a traditional classroom setting or hybrid format. Both formats require a hands-on field day and exam. The classroom courses are typically offered during weekends and weeknights throughout the state. The classroom courses average 16 hours of in-person instruction, and the field days average four hours.
All classroom courses and field days are administered by volunteer instructors. The volunteers typically schedule classroom classes and field days based on their availability, and the classroom courses are posted two to four weeks prior to the event start date. Field days are conducted at a local shooting range.
All classroom courses and field days are posted at www.azgfd.gov/HunterEd, and registration must be completed online. With several big game hunts already underway, field days fill quickly. Students are advised to check the schedule on a frequent basis for availability.
The purpose of Hunter Education is about more than safety. It’s also about developing responsible, knowledgeable, and involved hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically.