Hunter Education Courses

Mom Handing Daughter Orange Safety Vest

Residents and non-residents born on or after January 1, 1961, must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a season hunting license. However, a hunter education course is not required to purchase an Apprentice License or a license identified as a “Short Term” License. Hunter education courses certified or mandated by any state wildlife agency or Canadian province are accepted. Hunter Education is not required to hunt on one's own land or land of a parent or guardian.

Age Requirements

Hunters Under Age 12: Hunters 11 years of age or younger are not required to complete a hunter education course. However, no one 11 years of age or younger may hunt unless under direct supervision, i.e., within sight or hearing of a licensed adult (at least 18 years old). It is unlawful for an adult to permit their child or ward 11 years of age or younger to hunt unsupervised. Special restrictions apply to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) & National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs).

Hunters Age 12–15: Must complete a hunter education course prior to hunting unless under direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter. It is unlawful for an adult to permit their child or ward (12–15) to hunt without adult supervision unless the child possesses a hunter education certificate while hunting.

Hunters Age 16–25: Must present a hunter education certificate when purchasing a season hunting license and must possess the certificate while hunting.

Hunters Over Age 25: Hunters 26 years of age or older and born after January 1, 1961 must meet hunter education course requirements but need not present their hunter education certificate when buying a season hunting license or possess it while hunting.

Online Courses

There are several approved online hunter education courses that Georgia residents may take for a convenient alternative to the in-person classroom course.

Follow these steps to complete your hunter education certification online:

  • Locate or create a GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com DNR Customer account.
  • Select an eligible online-only course from any of the approved providers listed below. Fees differ, based on each provider's pricing. Carefully read and understand the terms, prior to completing and paying for the course you select.
  • After you pass your course, log into your DNR Customer account and print your new Georgia Hunter Safety Certificate. Having trouble printing your certificate? Please call 1-800-366-2661.
     

Approved Online Courses (fees vary):

Free Courses

There are free options for Georgia residents wishing to acquire a hunter education certificate.

  • Classroom Course (In Person Instruction). Find and sign up for a class.
  • Online Course: Free online course for students under the age of 16 at HUNTINGsmart.
  • NRA Hunter Education Course: This fully interactive option is offered free to everyone (regardless of age or state residency) by the NRA Foundation.

Additional Information & Opportunities

Replacement Certificates

Anyone who completed a Georgia hunter education course and needs a replacement Hunter Education Certificate can visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia, log into their DNR Customer account and print one for free.

Free 3-Month Range Pass

Recent Georgia hunter ed grad? You have a free 3-month range pass! When you pass the Hunter Education Course, your certification card doubles as a free 3-month pass at any Department of Natural Resources shooting range.

Free Tree Stand Safety Course

If you hunt from a tree stand, please take the time to take a 15-minute free tree stand safety course. This course is offered by HunterCourse.

Bowhunter Education Course

Georgia resident hunters who wish to improve their bowhunting safety knowledge or are hunting in a state that requires bowhunter education now can complete bowhunter education online. Though bowhunter education in not required in Georgia, it is required in several states. Take the online bowhunter education course.

Driver's License Requirement 

Hunters 16 years of age or older must have a hunting license to hunt, unless they are resident hunters hunting either on their own land or lands of an immediate family member (see definition of immediate family member). If born on or after January 1, 1961, they must also have completed a Hunter Education Course. If a resident youth does not yet have a state-issued Driver’s License, they will need a State of Georgia ID issued by the Department of Driver Services or a Georgia Instructional Permit to purchase their hunting license.