Hunter Education

Hunter education is a mandatory program that is designed to introduce students to several life-long skills that are important to the many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities. The course teaches students basic survival and first aid skills, water safety, wildlife identification, and the basics of wildlife management, hunting laws, and firearm/archery safety. Hunter education also stresses the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license. The minimum number of hours to complete the class is 10. Typically there is no charge for the course, unless lunch is furnished or room rental is required. Iowa recognizes hunter education certificates issued by another state and some foreign nations.

A person who is 11 years old or older may enroll in a course, but those who are 11 and successfully complete the course shall be issued a certificate which becomes valid on that person's 12th birthday. Iowa residents under the age of 12 can be issued a deer or turkey license; however, a licensed adult hunter must accompany each youth hunter. If the certificate is lost, a replacement certificate maybe obtained from any ELSI vendor during regular business hours for $ 3.50.

The following are your options for obtaining a hunter education certificate from the State of Iowa:

Option 1: Iowa Hunter Education - Classroom Instruction + Field Day

• Search our Statewide Online Database for a course in your area!
  
  - If, as a student, you require reasonable accommodations to participate in a classroom type education program, please advise the listed contact person at the time of pre-registration.

Option 2: Iowa Hunter Education - Online Course + Field Day

• HunterExam.com offers an alternative approach to Iowa's hunter education program. The 12-chapter course covers all aspects of hunter education, contains numerous interactive flash exercises, and is completely narrated for an added level of engagement. Once the course is complete, print out your Field Day Voucher and attend your Field Day!
  
  - Students must present a copy of their HunterExam Field Day Voucher to the Instructor at the Field Day. The Field Day includes some classroom instruction and a possibility of live fire exercises. Students will then take a final exam where a score of 75% or better is needed to pass and obtain the Certificate of Completion.