Hunting in Texas: Are Safety Courses Required to Hunt in Texas? How Do I Pass Classes?

For those living in or headed to the Lone Star State to hunt, it is best to already have completed a hunter safety class because you will not be able to legally hunt if you haven't, unless you're older than age 45.

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Every hunter, including those from out of state, born after September 2, 1971, needs to complete a hunter education training course, except for those younger than age 9, who need an adult with them when entering the woods. The requirements for hunter education are listed on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The exceptions to this rule is if you intend to hunt on Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations, then everyone needs to be certified. Keep in mind that you don't need to be certified to buy a Texas hunting license. 

Here are some of the hunter education options offered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 

1. The basic course is six -hours of classroom instruction by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) certified instructor. This course is designed for hunters 9 years of age and up and covers the core competencies of using a firearm, basic hunting safety measures, hunting ethics, and wildlife conservation.

These classes are offered year-round in different areas of the state. Pre-registration is required to attend. Fees for this course can vary.

2. The enhanced hunter education class is given online plus a one-day four-hour class with a TPWD-certified instructor. This class is for adult hunters who have experience with firearms or hunting or an older youth who has had an adult hunting mentor.

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The online course can be challenging for kids who do not have adult assistance when taking it. A trip to the shooting range is part of this course. Fees may vary from instructor to instructor.

3. The extended basic hunter education course offers more than six hours of instruction with a TPWD certified instructor. This class offers participants the information in the basic course plus mentored hunts and a special workshop that will focus on a particular hunting skill. Pre-registration is required and fees vary.

4. The online courses for complete certification can only be taken by Texas residents older than age 17. After completing this class you can print out your temporary hunter education certificate. The permanent certificate will be mailed to you. There are several vendors who offer this online course: Hunter-ed.com, HunterEdCourse.com, HUNTERcourse.com, and TexasHunterEd.com.

There also are online courses for bow hunting certification, which is required if you intend to bow hunt in Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsboro, and Camp Bullis, and in San Antonio. A bowhunter education certificate cannot be substituted for a hunter education certificate.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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