COVID 19 Update
In accordance with CDC guidelines, and state recommendations, we are cancelling upcoming classes, field days, workshops, and advanced hunter education offerings through April 30. These events are usually held within facilities that are currently closed or prohibiting gatherings of large groups due to the Covid-19. The health and safety of our volunteers, participants, and staff is of utmost importance to us, that is why we have these cancellations.
Due to the cancellation of our in-person hunter education courses, we are recommending the following for hunting this spring:
- Anyone ages 15 years and younger are able to participate in hunting activities if accompanied by an adult 18 and older who holds a valid hunting permit.
- Anyone ages 16 – 17 can purchase an apprentice hunting license to hunt alongside an adult 18 and older who holds a valid hunting permit.
- Anyone ages 18 and older can complete the required hunter education course online. You can access the online course here.
We recognize this is an inconvenience and that it may not be the most desirable option to receive your hunter education certification. If you would like to sign up to be notified of an upcoming course in your area once offerings are allowed to resume, please follow the link here.
The goals of the DNR Hunter Education Program are as follows:
- Educate Iowans about hunter safety
- Promote hunter education and ethics
- Train volunteer instructors to teach hunter education
- Continue to keep hunting the safe activity it has become
By providing hunter education to the public, the DNR will help ensure the safety of hunters throughout our state by continuing to promote ethics and fair chase, hunter responsibility and landowner relations. The safety, recruitment, and retention of hunters are important in continuing the tradition of hunting in Iowa's GREAT Outdoors!
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 may be obtained from any ELSI vendor during regular business hours for $4.50.
Classes are typically held from March 1 - November 15 each year. Our courses are taught by volunteer instructors who are hunters so there are very few classes that take place after November 15.
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