| Important Facts about your certification -Certification is good for life. -Texas certification is honored by other states and provinces requiring hunter education. -You must carry proof of certification or deferral on your person while hunting. -The card is NOT required to purchase a license. Who needs to take Hunter Education? Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $15. If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are: under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied*. age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied. age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied. What does "accompanied" mean? Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license. Do I qualify for a Hunter Education Deferral? Any person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program may defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. You must be accompanied while hunting if you you have a deferral. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The new, one-time Hunter Education Deferral is scheduled to be available at license vendors and go into effect September 1, 2004 and will cost $10. I lost my card. How do I get a replacement? A duplicate certification card may be ordered by using this online form. Failure to carry proof of certification or deferral while hunting is a Class C, Parks and Wildlife Code Misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine no less than $25 nor more than $500. How long has this been law? "Mandatory" hunter education became law in 1988. Since 1972, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has certified over 650,000 Texans. How long is the course? The traditional Hunter Education course is a minimum of 10 hours over at least 2 days. If you choose the Home Study or online study option, the one-day Field Course/Skills Trail is a minimum of 4 hours, but may extend longer. What does the course cover? Texas Parks and Wildlife Department certified instructors teach: Hunting Rules and Regulations Ethics and Responsibilities Wildlife Conservation Modern and Primitive Sporting Arms and Ammunition Safe Firearm Handling and Storage Outdoor Survival and First Aid Field and Live-Firing Exercises are often included in traditional courses Field and Live-Firing Exercises are mandatory in Home Study testing. What is the cost of the course? The traditional Hunter Education Course, materials and certification by the state costs $15. The cost of the one-day Home Study/Skills Trail Testing is $15. The Home Study Video package varies according to vendor, however the manufacturers recommended price is $14.95. The Online Course is free. Can I fail this course? Yes, you can fail the course because of unsatisfactory knowledge, skill or attitude as evaluated by your instructor. The minimum score on the final exam is 70 percent for the traditional course and 80 percent for Home Study. However, if you achieve a higher score, but are determined to lack safe skills in live-firing or field exercises, or as a result of classroom disruptions or incomplete attendance, you may fail the course. Do I need the Hunter Education Certificate to purchase a hunting license? No, you are not required to show your certification when you purchase a license, but proof of certification or "deferral" is required to be on your person while hunting. I'm a bowhunter. Do I need the same certification? Additional bowhunter education courses are available. This does not replace hunter education. Texas hunters who fall in the required age classes must complete Hunter Education regardless of the type of sporting arm used or species hunted. Bowhunter Education is mandatory in some states and provinces. Bowhunter education is a two-day course. I am in the military/law enforcement. Does the law still apply to me? Yes, it is a state law and there is no exemption from the Hunter Education certification requirement for hunting in Texas. I have a license to carry a concealed handgun. Do I still need the certification? Yes, some of the safety training may be similar; however, Hunter Education includes many topics that are not part of handgun education. There are no exemptions from this requirement. I took Hunter Education in another state. Do I still need to take the Texas course? No, Texas recognizes Hunter Education certificates from all other states. You will need to carry a proof of that certification on your person while hunting in Texas. We cannot duplicate Hunter Education certification from other states and provinces, you will need to contact the agency that regulates Hunter Education in that state. I want to hunt out-of-state. Will my Texas Hunter Education certificate be recognized? Yes, all states and provinces requiring hunter education recognize your Texas certification. You must carry your certification card with you as proof. When I call the contact number listed, I get an answering machine. Why can't I talk to an instructor? Hunter Education instructors are volunteers and many work regular jobs and may not be available when you try to contact them. Most list their home numbers as the contact. Try calling early in the evening after work or leave a message for them to call you back. Leave your name and a contact phone number. Leaving your name only on the message does not confirm your place in the class. If you have additional questions, please feel free to call our office at 1-800-792-1112 ext. 63. *ALL INFORMATION COURTESY OF PARKS & WILDLIFE* |
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