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:
- You may attend a multi-day fully in-person training class. Persons under the age of 13 must choose this option. 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
- Persons who are at least 13 years old 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 "Advanced" 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.
