Hunter Education
New! The Arizona Game and Fish Department has created an innovative online course — “Ethically Hunting Arizona” — that provides hunters 18 and older with an opportunity to earn a lifetime bonus point. More information
I took the online course and wasn’t able to register for a field day, will my online certification expire?
For students that completed the online Hunter Education course and their online certificate (AZ Field Day Qualification Exam Certificate) is going to expire, the Department will extend the expiration of the certificate to be valid for one year from the date of completion, which should allow time to complete a field day. For those whose certificate is expiring before classes resume, the expiration will be deferred until courses are offered. Please ensure that you review all Hunter Education content prior to the field day or bonus point field test.
Hunter Education is not required for anyone 14 years of age or older in order to hunt in Arizona.
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 does not become valid until the child’s 10th birthday.
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. Classes fill up very quickly!
Hunter Education Health and Safety: COVID-19
To ensure the safety of our students, volunteers and staff, many Hunter Education classroom courses, field days and bonus point field tests have been postponed. A limited number of small field days and bonus point field tests that adhere to CDC guidelines may be held, based on volunteer instructor availability. Should classes become available, they will be posted to the Department’s Hunter Education page, and further information will be provided to previously registered students.
To ensure youth ages 10 through 13 who have big game tags for upcoming hunts are able to participate in that hunt, AZGFD will allow them to defer completion of the required, in-person portion of Hunter Education for up to one year from the online certification date. To be eligible for the deferment, they must meet the following criteria:
1. The youth hunter is 10 through 13 years of age and has completed the AZGFD online Hunter Education course.
2. The youth hunter has an upcoming big game hunt tag.
3. The youth hunter will be accompanied by a licensed adult on the hunt.
4. The youth hunter must carry a copy of their online certification (AZ Field Day Qualification Exam Certificate) during the hunt.
In Arizona you may take Hunter Education in three formats. Which class is right for you?
Classroom Course
Who: Anyone aged 9 and up.
Length: All classroom Hunter Education courses are taught by certified Arizona Game and Fish Department Volunteer Instructors. The instructors determine the location and length of the class. Classroom courses average 24 hours. There are instructor teams offering 16 hours up to 40 hour courses.
How: Classroom Course Schedule
Online Course Field Day
Who: Anyone aged 9 and up who has successfully completed the Arizona Hunter Education Online Course.
Length: The online course is a self-paced program that is completed on the internet. Once a passing score of 80% is obtain on the course examination, a completion certificate may be printed and a field day scheduled.
Field day courses are taught by certified Arizona Game and Fish Department Volunteer Instructors. The instructors determine the location and length of the field day. Field days average 4-5 hours.
How: Take the Online Course, Online Field Day Schedule
Bonus Point Field Test
Who: Adults Only. Ages 18 and older, that have successfully completed the Arizona Hunter Education Online Course, and have a minimum of three years hunting experience.
Length: The online course is a self-paced program that is completed on the internet. Once a passing score of 80% is obtain on the course examination a completion certificate may be printed and a field test scheduled.
Field tests are administered by certified Arizona Game and Fish Department Volunteer Instructors. Students rotate through practical application stations at their pace. The stations are: Live-fire, Matching, Practical Hunt and a written examination. Average completion time is one hour.
How: Take the Online Course, Bonus Point Field Test Schedule
All Hunter Education Classes
Classroom courses, online course field day and bonus point field test
Requirements: Preregistration is required for all Hunter Education class formats.
Department ID – Students will need to provide a Department ID number (or if they do not wish to get a Department ID number at this time a Social Security Number). Students should provide this number ONLY on their Hunter Education class registration. This number is required to complete any registration. To get a Department ID number call 602-942-3000.
Purpose: The purpose of Arizona’s Hunter Education Program is to promote safe, knowledgeable and responsible hunter conduct, to emphasize the importance of wildlife management, laws and regulations, and to encourage the safe handling of firearms and hunting equipment.
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
Contact Information
More information on the Arizona Hunter Education Program call 623-236-7235.
Get Involved
A volunteer is a person who, of his or her own free will, provides goods or services (time and experience) without the expectation of financial gain. Each volunteer is unique and there are many reasons for why people volunteer their services: personal fulfillment, a desire to help others learn something new, to increase your own knowledge, to promote a cause, just to name a few. The benefits gained from volunteering as a Hunter Education Instructor are unique and personal to you.
As a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor (Volunteer Instructors), you can volunteer for a very important role in our program. The public will look to you to demonstrate what it means to be a responsible and ethical hunter. You will be responsible for imparting the knowledge needed to help other hunters increase their hunting knowledge, improve skills and safety, and become informed custodians of Arizona wildlife resources. This is not a duty to be taken lightly.
One of the reasons that the Arizona Hunter Education Program is successful is due to the commitment and devotion of you, the Volunteer Instructor, who supports it. We recognize that each Vollunteer Instructor provides invaluable skills and expertise. They enable the AZGFD to provide the community with a wonderful opportunity and quality service. You can be crucial to the success and continuation of the Arizona Hunter Education Program and we thank you for considering joining our ranks.
The Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor qualifications
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hunting experience, safety training or outdoor survival skills
- Organizational skills
- Basic computer skills
- Teaching experience is highly desirable, but not required
The Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor responsibilities
- Help plan and deliver a minimum of two (2) Hunter Education programs through classroom courses and/or online field days annually
- Help promote Hunter Education by providing support at outreach events and programs approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Have access to email
- Follow all Hunter Education policies and procedures
To begin the process of becoming a certified Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor, contact azhuntereducation@azgfd.
Questions? Contact Hunter Education at 623 236-7235, or email to azhuntereducation@azgfd.gov.
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