Hunting in Ohio: Are Safety Courses Required to Hunt in Ohio?

The Buckeye State offers starting hunters education that must be completed before setting out as a full-fledged hunter.

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Hunter education is currently required in all 50 states. In the state of Ohio, where hunting is a hugely popular sport, there are various types of hunter education courses.

There are different types of courses that hunters can take, depending upon aptitude and level of expertise. There are also guidelines for potential hunter educators as well.

1. Instructor-Led Course
“Instructor-led courses last about 8-12 hours, and take place in a classroom environment. Certified volunteers and Division of Wildlife staff teach the courses. They are specially trained and highly qualified to help you learn, ” says the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 

2. Home-Study Course
This course is designed for students who thrive better outside of the classroom, allowing students to complete the course of study at their own pace. It is recommended that students take “one chapter at a time, and [answer] all review questions on the provided answer sheet. Each completed answer sheet will be required for a final classroom session prior to finishing the course,” according to the Ohio DNR. 

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3. Proficiency Testing
Proficiency testing is only for those with previous knowledge of hunting and firearms.

4. Bowhunting Guidelines
Meanwhile, for those skilled in bowhunting, “Any bowhunter not possessing a previous hunting license is required to have the Ohio Bowhunter Education Certificate,” says bowhunter-ed.com  In addition, certificates earned in other states are considered valid by the state of Ohio.

5. Hunting Instructors
The requirements for all hunting education instructors are, according to state laws, that they must be at least 21years old, must have successfully completed the Ohio hunter education course and an instructor course “as prescribed by the division of wildlife.” In addition, “Completion of the hunter education instructor course shall include the passing of an examination and receiving a hunter education instructor certification card prescribed by the chief of the division of wildlife,” according to codes.ohio.gov.

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

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