Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Maryland Hunter Education Specialty Courses

Maryland Hunter Education Specialty Courses

The majority of Hunter Safety Education classes are offered in the fall leading up to Maryland’s standard hunting seasons but many classes are held throughout the year but fill up quickly. New classes are posted often. Prospective students are encouraged to check the schedule frequently year round. Planning well ahead of your hunt is key.

***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.

The Hunter Education Program 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/permitting within their jurisdiction. See the class descriptions below for more details.

Specialty Courses are fully in-person, training events provided by state certified Instructors of the specific disciplines. Specialty Courses are scheduled independently by the training teams all over the state and are posted on the DNR website listed below.

Students will be provided with all information needed to successfully pass evaluation at the Specialty Courses.

Generally, Specialty Courses will last 4 to 6 hours. Duration of the event may vary due to the number of students and class participation. Trained Instructors may adapt the presentation of material to the needs of the class and the limitations of the facility.

Specialty Courses may vary from training to training and are designed to be flexible. Instructors may shift the focus of the instruction, or the style of instruction as needed based on the age/experience of the overall student group or a demonstrated need for a different training/testing technique.

Please make a note of any special instructions when registering for the Classroom Course as some training facilities have special requirements. Be sure that you have the proper clothing for the outdoor sessions.

Due to the lack of specific Maryland licensing requirements for these disciplines, demand for Specialty Courses are much lower than basic Hunter Education classes and therefore there tend to be less classes during a given year. Frequently a hunter obtains a special permit to hunt in another state or specific jurisdiction within the state which requires a specialty certification. These hunters often risk the possibility of losing a great hunting opportunity because of minimal certification chances. Plan ahead, attend the classes, certification lasts a lifetime.


Bow Hunter Course

What to Expect at the Bow Hunter Course

The Bow Hunter Course will include the following:

  1. A classroom session provided by trained Bow Hunter Instructors that covers:
    • Introduction to Bow Hunting
    • Wildlife Conservation
    • Safe and Responsible Bow Hunting
    • Bow Hunting Equipment
    • Hunt Preparation
    • Methods of Bow Hunting
    • Shot Placement and Recovery Techniques
    • Outdoor Preparedness
    • Information specific to the State of Maryland.
    • An emphasis on Tree Stand Safety.
    • A 50 question multiple choice test - requires an 80% score to pass
    • Resources for continued growth in hunting sports (specialized training, mentorship and hunting opportunities).

  2. Field Exercises observed by trained Bow Hunter Instructors. These are unscored participation events used to demonstrate key Bow Hunting concepts discussed during the classroom.
    • Distance Estimation
    • Game Recovery
    • Tree Stand Setup, Use and Safety

  3. ​ A range session under supervision of trained Range Safety Officers on an approved archery range that includes:
    • Presentation of students personal equipment
    • Equipment safety inspection
    • Proficiency target shoot
    • Minimum standard 3 hits in vital 3-D deer target (or equivalent)
    • General safety violations may be grounds for course failure.

Students must also demonstrate to an instructor the ability to behave in a mature and safe manner.


Muzzleloader Hunter Course

What to Expect at the Muzzleloader Hunter Course

The Muzzleloader Courses will include the following:

  1. A classroom session provided by trained Muzzleloader Instructors that covers:
    • History of Muzzleloaders
    • Parts of a Muzzleloader
    • Blackpowder
    • Muzzleloading Accessories
    • Loading Techniques
    • Hangfire & Misfire
    • Cleaning a Muzzleloader
    • Muzzleloading Shotguns and Handguns
    • Modern Muzzleloader varieties
    • Information specific to the State of Maryland
    • A 25 question multiple choice test - requires an 80% score to pass
    • Resources for continued growth in hunting sports (specialized training, mentorship and hunting opportunities).

  2. ​ A range session under supervision of trained Range Safety Officers on an approved range that includes:
    • Loading procedures
    • Proficiency target shoot
    • Minimum standard 3 shots fired from a muzzleloading firearm
    • Marksmanship is not evaluated
    • General safety violations may be grounds for course failure.

Students must also demonstrate to an instructor the ability to behave in a mature and safe manner.


Tree Stand Safety Course

What to Expect at the Tree Stand Safety Course

The Tree Stand Safety Courses will include the following:

  1. A classroom session provided by certified Tree Stand Safety Instructors that covers:
    • Tree Stand Manufacturer’s Association
    • Tree Stand Safety Statistics
    • Manufacturer’s Instructions and Liability
    • Ladder Stands
    • Hang-on/Lock-on Stands
    • Climbing Stands
    • Climbing Aids
    • Fall Arrest Systems (Harnesses)
    • Suspension Trauma and Suspension Relief Straps
    • Life Lines and Lineman’s Belts/Ropes
    • Emerging Trends
    • Fall Recovery
    • Information specific to the State of Maryland
    • A 25 question multiple choice test - requires an 80% score to pass
    • Resources for continued growth in hunting sports (specialized training, mentorship and hunting opportunities).

  2. ​ Demonstrations by certified Tree Stand Safety Instructors. These are unscored participation events used to demonstrate key Tree Stand Safety concepts discussed during the classroom.
    • Donning a Harness
    • Tree Stand Setup Procedures
    • Fall Recovery

Students must also demonstrate to an instructor the ability to behave in a mature and safe manner.


Check Class Schedules and Register:

Follow the link below to see the currently scheduled Specialty Classes and register:

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