Hunter Education In Alabama

Alabama is one of 49 states that has a mandatory hunter education program.  Please click here to obtain hunter education requirements for other states and Canadian provinces.  The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries expects approximately 13,000 students to complete the Hunter Education Course this year alone.  The goal of the Hunter Education Program is to make Alabama hunters safe, responsible, and more knowledgeable about wildlife conservation. 

Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all non-supervised hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977, except APOST certified law enforcement officers employed in the state, active duty U.S. Military personnel and Alabama residents who are active members of the U.S. National Guard. Alabama is one of 49 states which has a mandatory hunter education program. Course is a minimum of 10 hours of instruction in addition to an examination. Course content includes hunter responsibility, wildlife laws, wildlife management and identification, firearms safety, archery, muzzleloading, basic survival and first aid. Goals of the hunter education program include increasing awareness of the importance of hunter-landowner relations, hunter behavior, reducing accident rates and increased knowledge of basic wildlife management concepts and wildlife laws. This course is also available as a two-part course with half completed on CD-ROM or the internet followed by a half day field day.

The Wildlife Heritage Act of 2007 passed by the Legislature provided a mentor provision for hunter education.  Now, hunting license buyers have the option to hunt under the "supervision required" status in lieu of passing the hunter education course.  Hunters under supervision MUST be under normal voice control, not to exceed 30 feet away from a properly licensed hunter 21 years of age or older.  Under no circumstances shall the supervising person be the holder of a "supervision required" license. 

Traditional Hunter Education Courses

A traditional hunter education course is a minimum of 10 hours of instruction plus a written examination.  The course is taught by Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel and volunteer instructors to participants 10 years of age and older and is offered free of charge.  The course includes but is not limited to firearms safety and handling, responsible hunting and hunter ethics, wildlife laws, wildlife management and identification, archery, muzzleloading, first aid, survival, and game care.  

Online Hunter Education Course Requirements

An alternative delivery method for the Alabama Hunter Education Course includes a two part program with half of the course being completed online or with a CD-ROM.  This certification requires the student to attend a field day after completing the online course or CD-ROM.  After completing the CD or internet course, students must print the final report generated by the CD or internet course and take it with them to a regularly scheduled field day.  Notarization of the report is not required.  Students must complete another test at the field day and demonstrate many skills such as loading and unloading different types of firearms, safely crossing fences, and other activities that all safe, responsible hunters should be able to complete.  

Alabama Online Hunter Education Course Options

The Alabama Hunter Education program currently accepts two online hunter education courses as the preliminary requirement for hunter education certification.  After completing either online course, all students must complete a regularly scheduled field day to obtain their Alabama Hunter Education Program certification card.  Both courses meet standards set forth by the International Hunter Education Association.  The following links can be used to access both courses.

Click here to obtain a complete list of traditional and hunter education cd/internet course field days. 


Hunter Education Certification Reciprocity

Students who successfully complete the Alabama Hunter Education Program through one of the aforementioned processes will obtain a hunter education certification card that is recognized by all 50 states and Canadian provinces where proof of hunter education is required to purchase a hunting license.

Hunter Education CD-ROM Availability

The CD-ROM course is recommended if your household only has dial-up internet access.  Both of the online hunter education courses work well with high speed internet access.  Hunter education Cd-ROM's are available at the following Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries offices:   

Please call the hunter education office at 1-800-245-2740 or E-Mail Hunter Education Coordinator Ray Metzler if you have additional questions or require further information.