Hunter Education

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Hunter Safety Education Requirement

 

Hunter Safety Education Requirement

Maryland’s Hunter Safety Education Program began in 1966 as a voluntary class. In 1977 the Maryland legislature made it mandatory for all first-time hunters to provide a “Certificate of Competency” in order to purchase a Maryland hunting license for the first time. This is a one-time certification is maintained for subsequent license purchases.

In order to purchase a Maryland hunting license for the first time state law requires:

  1. Presentation of a “Certificate of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety”, or
  2. Certification that you held a hunting license issued prior to July 1, 1977, or
  3. Certification that you hunted on private property prior to July 1, 1977 and were legally exempt from purchasing a hunting license, or
  4. Certification that you are purchasing a non-resident license and will only hunt waterfowl.
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Apprentice License Exception

 

Apprentice License Exception

An “Apprentice Hunter License” is now available under certain conditions to both residents and non-residents. The standard requirement for hunter education and competency certification does NOT apply to those who purchase the “Apprentice License” (see below) and are in compliance with that regulation.
​Please follow this link for more detailed information: Apprentice Licenses


Hunter Safety Education and Persons Exempt from License Purchase

 

Hunter Safety Education and Persons Exempt from License Purchase

All persons who hunt in Maryland, even those who are exempt from purchasing a license, ARE STILL REQUIRED to comply with the Hunter Safety Education requirement and must also obtain a DNR ID number prior to hunting.

For more details please follow this link: Who May Hunt Without a License.
Follow this link to obtain a free DNR ID: COMPASS


Hunter Safety Education From Other States

 

Hunter Safety Education From Other States

Maryland accepts hunter education certifications from all other U.S. States. If you possess a hunter education certificate/card from another state, it will be accepted in Maryland as satisfying the “Certification of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety” requirement for purchasing a hunting license and a Maryland Hunter Safety Education class will not be required.

Replacing a Lost Maryland Hunter Safety Education Card

 

Replacing a Lost Maryland Hunter Safety Education Card

A person who successfully graduated from a Maryland Hunter Safety Education class in the past may request a replacement card.

Follow this link for more details on this process: Replace a Lost Hunter Safety Card

Hunter Safety Education and Maryland Handgun Permits

 

Hunter Safety Education and Maryland Handgun Permits

Currently, being a graduate of a Maryland Hunter Education Program allows you to obtain a waiver for the training component of the Maryland Handgun Qualification License. There is ​ NO WAIVER for the application process.

Being a Hunter Education graduate has no effect on the process of obtaining a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit

The Maryland Hunter Safety Education Program

 

The Maryland Hunter Safety Education Program

The Maryland Hunter Education Program is provided across the state by volunteer instructors who are organized in training teams with a Chief Instructor. A Hunter Safety Certificate is issued to participating students who successfully complete the training requirements and serves as the “Certification of Competency” required to purchase your first Maryland hunting license.

Training classes are held throughout the year and are scheduled independently by the individual teams. Classes are posted to the DNR website as they are scheduled and fill up quickly. Maryland encourages those wishing to attend a class to check the schedules below frequently.

A person wishing to take the basic Hunter Safety Course has two options:

  1. You may attend a multi-day fully in-person training class. This option is frequently referred to as “Classroom Course”, “In-Person Training” or “Traditional”. This training is provided by Maryland with no cost to the participant by state certified instructors, or

  2. You may attend a “hybrid” training which is completed in two parts (online and in-person). First, you complete the majority of the training portion through Maryland’s designated online training provider: Hunter-Ed.com. Hunter-Ed.com is the only online hunter safety education provider that satisfies the states online component. After successful completion of the online training the provider will issue you a “voucher” to attend a one day, in-person, Field Day Workshop (FDW) in order to demonstrate competency. The FDW is provided by Maryland’s certified instructors. Certification of competency is only provided after successful completion of both the online and FDW components. Vouchers are only good for one year after their issue date. This option is sometimes referred to as “Internet-based” or “Independent Study”. The online provider will charge a fee, the FDW is provided without cost.

Both training techniques include instruction in:

  • Firearm Equipment
  • Basic Shooting Skills
  • Tree-stand Safety & Using Boats/ATVs
  • Basic Hunting Skills
  • Primitive Hunting Equipment & Techniques
  • Being a Responsible and Ethical Hunter
  • Preparation and Survival Skills
  • Wildlife Conservation

In addition, both class types require students to pass a 50 question test (80% standard to pass). The hybrid option requires a test during both the online portion and the Field Day Workshop portion. Students must also demonstrate to an instructor the ability to safely handle a firearm; behave in a mature and safe manner; make legal, safe and ethical decisions concerning hunting scenarios; and participate in a live-fire range event.

In order to provide maximum class opportunities, and due to limitations at certain facilities, some classes may have a waiver of the live-fire requirement. Read the individual class descriptions or contact the Chief instructor to determine if the class you are looking to attend falls into this category.

Maryland highly encourages all persons who wish to hunt in Maryland to attend a traditional, fully in-person training event. These classes provide a maximum amount of interaction between experienced hunters/instructors, outdoorsman, subject matter experts and other individuals who can discuss current issues and importantly, answer specific questions. These classes generally provide a much greater opportunity for a successful learning experience and a foundation for a lifetime of safe hunting for everyone that enters the woods. In addition, the traditional in-person classes provide much more “hands on” time for students with specific training aides such as tree stands and inert training firearms. This is especially important for younger students. Please see the specific class descriptions for additional details.

The Hunter Education Program provides Trapper Education training which is required to attempt to trap any furbearer in the State of Maryland under authority of a Furbearer Permit.

The Hunter Education Program also provides “Specialty” training classes in bow hunting, muzzleloader hunting and tree-stand safety. These classes are not generally required by the state of Maryland but may be required by other states and also counties or municipalities within Maryland who provide organized hunting events or special permitting within their jurisdiction. See the class descriptions below for more details.


Field Day Workshop Exemptions

 

Field Day Workshop Exemptions

Persons who meet certain criteria may receive a waiver for the Field Day Workshop component of the hybrid option training. Those persons are still required to complete the online training portion for Maryland through Hunter-Ed.com.

Generally, those eligible for the waiver include:

  1. Active-duty or honorably discharged members of the U.S. military who are stationed in the State of Maryland or who are permanent Maryland residents.
  2. Any permanent Maryland resident that is a current or retired law enforcement officer from the State of Maryland (must hold, or previously held, a Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission Police Officer Certification, and employed / retired from a Maryland law enforcement agency; note that special police officer certifications are not accepted).
  3. Any permanent Maryland resident that holds a current, State of Maryland Permit to Carry a Handgun, issued by the Maryland State Police. Note that a Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL) IS NOT a qualifying permit for the exemption.

Please follow this link for more details: FDW Waivers.​

Hunter Safety Class Descriptions

 

Hunter Safety Class Descriptions

The majority of classes are offered in the fall leading up to Maryland’s standard hunting seasons but many classes are held throughout the year. Prospective students are encouraged to check the schedule frequently.

***Attention Parents of Younger Students and Those with Special Needs Attending In-person Training***

  1. Any student under the age of 13 years old must have an adult (18 years or older) accompany them during any session of the Hunter Education Course unless otherwise stated on the registration site.
  2. Training teams will have the discretion to require adult supervision for students 13 to 16 years old or non-drivers of any age.
  3. Training teams will have the discretion to require any student chaperones to remain outside the actual classroom, trail walk and/or range. Refer to the individual class description on the registration page.
  4. Teaching teams are the guest of the facilities that allow them to teach there. Therefore some classes may have specific age limitations in order to accommodate facility by-laws or insurance regulations. Please read the class description on the registration page thoroughly.
  5. Students who rely on transportation from another person must ensure that the transportation is on time. If the student’s transportation is more than thirty minutes late, the instructor may at their discretion dismiss the student from further participation in the course.
  6. ​Any student registering for a class that has a special need (i.e. interpreter, physical or mental disability, etc.) must contact the chief instructor at the time of registration in order to allow the team time to prepare appropriate accommodations.
  7. Hunter Education classrooms are filled with student of all ages. The curriculum is designed to accommodate approximate 5th grade age students. Although students of any age may attend, the success rate of students decreases below that age. Instructors will make every attempt to achieve the success of every student where possible.
  8. Parents may not assist their children with any portion of the training. This includes testing, trail walk or range events. If reading is an issue, please communicate with the instructors at the time of the class and an instructor may be available to read the test aloud.

To see more details about a specific class follow the following links:

Hunter Safety Class Schedules and Registration

 

Hunter Safety Class Schedules and Registration


Become a Hunter Safety Education Instructor

 

Become a Hunter Safety Education Instructor

Over 7,000 novice hunters are trained each year in Maryland on safe and responsible hunting practices by teams of dedicated volunteer instructors. Maryland's Hunter Education Program is one of the best in the country because our instructors are dedicated to continuing the hunting heritage and insuring that first time hunters have the knowledge, skills and attitude to be a safe and responsible in the field.

The Maryland Hunter Education Program accepts applications from persons who are interested in becoming a certified Hunter Education Instructor.

Requirements include:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have at least 3 years hunting experience
  • Be a high school graduate or possess an equivalency
  • Be a graduate of an approved Hunter Education Course
  • Provide true and accurate information on their application
  • Satisfactorily pass a background investigation
  • Complete instructor training as required by Program Policy
  • Agree to comply within the standards and guidelines of Program Policy

Any Instructor Applicant who does not meet the age, experience or education requirements listed above must submit a Letter of Sponsorship from an active Chief Instructor or Regional Coordinator along with his/her application. A background investigation will be conducted and, if approved, the applicant will become an “Assistant Instructor” until all requirements are fulfilled.

All Instructors will be considered “Provisional” for the first year of their certification.

Provisional and Assistant Instructors may only conduct Hunter Education activities while under direct supervision of an active, fully certified instructor.

The background investigation will include fingerprinting, criminal history checks and online source checks.

Maryland teaches using a “Team Teaching” philosophy. All classes are taught by teams led by a Chief Instructor. Individuals interested in becoming an instructor who are not already associated with a team will be placed with a team by Hunter Ed staff.

Maryland also accepts formation of new Hunter Safety Teams. Sporting clubs or individual communities and groups are encouraged to develop their own teams from within their membership. Any group who believes they have a facility and wishes to plant a new team may also apply by making notation on their individual applications. Instructor training and certification is provided by the Hunter Education staff.

Persons interesting in applying may request an application by filling out a request form at this link: Instructor Application Request


Contact Us

 

Contact Us

Maryland Natural Resources Police
Safety Education and Outreach Unit
305 Marine Academy Drive, Suite 1
Stevensville, MD 21666
Office: 410-643-8502
Fax: 410-643-1485
Email: nrpsafetyed.dnr@maryland.gov

  • If you have questions about a specific Hunter Education class please contact the Chief Instructor listed for the specific class on the registration page.
  • If you have general Hunter Education questions please contact the Safety Education and Outreach Unit with the information listed above.
    • Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
    • If you receive a recorded message please listen to it fully as other contact options may be offered.

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