The mission of the ODFW Hunter Education Program is to continue the heritage of hunting by developing safe and responsible hunters. Hunter Education is mandatory for Oregon hunters under the age of 18 unless they are hunting on land owned by their parents or legal guardian or are participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program.
There is no minimum age to attend a course, but children under age 11 often have a difficult time with the material. Younger students may also lack the upper body strength necessary to handle a firearm safely and control the muzzle when performing loading and unloading drills.
Many parents choose to go through the course with their child, which is encouraged. Parents who participate and who pass the test will receive their certificate as well. Even parents who choose not to take the tests usually find the course both informative and enjoyable.
What You'll Learn
Take any of the Oregon hunting safety courses and:
- Learn about hunter responsibility and ethics
- Discover how firearms work and learn about firearm safety
- Improve your wildlife identification, game care, survival and first aid skills
- Develop firearm handling skills and hunting techniques
- Increase awareness about wildlife conservation and management
- For students taking the online course and passing the online test, receive your official Oregon Field Day Qualifier Certificate, a prerequisite for attending an Oregon Hunter Education Program Independent Study Field Day
- Receive your official Certificate of Completion upon successfully meeting all hunting safety course requirements
Hunter education is not just for kids and not just for hunters. The program is for all folks who enjoy the outdoors and have an interest in conservation. The course can also be an excellent refresher for veteran hunters.
For more information on the hunter education program, please call the Hunter Education Desk at 503-947-6028.
Need a Duplicate Hunter Education Card?
Duplicate hunter education cards can be requested by completing the Duplicate Card Request Form and faxing to 503-947-6009. In order to process your request, you must provide your name, date of birth, contact information, current mailing address and the city and year in which you completed your course (if known). Please allow up to three weeks to process your request.
Process for requesting duplicate hunter education cards
These programs are funded by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Wallop-Breaux).
Assurances
The Oregon Outdoor Skills Program is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and offers all persons the opportunity to participate in programs and activities regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. No individual will be turned away from or otherwise be denied access to or benefit from, any program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240
Hunter Education Program
Three Course Options 