If you or someone you know would like to go hunting this fall but have never taken a hunter education course, this is the time to act. Vermont’s volunteer hunter education instructors are now holding a limited number of courses throughout the state.

A person must pass the basic hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license.

“Most in-person courses are held in August and September, just before the fall hunting and trapping seasons begin,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education Coordinator Nicole Meier. “All in-person courses are taught by volunteer instructors who teach because they are passionate about hunting and want to ensure that Vermont’s safe hunting legacy continues. We credit Vermont’s strong safety record to our trained volunteers.”

Courses available in basic hunter education, bowhunter education, trapper education, and combination hunter-bowhunter education are listed on Fish and Wildlife’s website. The department expects more classes to be posted throughout August and September. If you don’t see a class in your area listed yet, continue watching the website or call the Hunter Education Program office for more information at 802-828-1193. The last classes of the year are generally held in early October.

“Hands-on and in-person learning from an experienced instructor are the best ways to become familiar with the skills associated with safe hunting,” Meier said.

Although the in-person courses are free of charge and available for anyone to take, the course material and written exams are generally at a 12-year-old reading and maturity level. Students in every class type are required to take an in-person written exam and display responsibility and maturity. Parents are encouraged to talk to the instructor before the class if there are any concerns about whether their child will pass the class.

Students may take a free online-only certification course if they are 18 years old and a resident of Vermont.

The courses will be listed as they become available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. On the Home page, click on Hunt and then Hunter Education and Find a Certified Course.

A Vermont hunter education card entitles you to hunt in all 50 states, as well as some international locations.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, experience level, sex, or gender identity. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available on request at no cost to the student. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need and include your contact information. Requests should be made as early as possible. Please send an e-mail to: Nicole.Meier@vermont.gov 802-828-1193 (voice), 1-800-253-0191 (TTY).