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Calendar of Education Courses »
Behind every great hunter, you'll find a great teacher!
There's a lifetime of satisfaction to be found in the woods of Vermont. And
for thousands of hunters, it all begins in Vermont's Hunter Education Program. With
more than 100,000 graduates over more than four decades, the free 12-hour minimum
course upholds Vermont's proud tradition by developing skilled and principled
sportsmen and women.
The Course
Would-be hunters must successfully complete the course in order to purchase
their first hunting license. All courses are a minimum of 12 hours long, with the
average being 16 hours long. All are led by certified instructors. Materials are
provided free by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife and our super volunteers.
You also can access class information through our recorded "information only" telephone
line.
The Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education courses are run by volunteer
instructors that submit class information a few weeks before they run a course, and
then the information is posted online and on the information telephone line. Courses
are available year-round, but our peak season is August through October. At that time,
we have courses being conducted all over the state. If you do not see a course listed
in your area, check back at a later date. To make sure that you get a course in your
area, we suggest that you periodically check this web site or call one of the recorded
information lines. If you have any questions please call the Hunter Education division
at (802) 241-3720.
Topics Covered
Class graduates will leave the hunter education courses with a thorough understanding
of how to get a lifetime of enjoyment out of Vermont's magnificent natural resources.
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to Hunter Education (History, Purpose and sponsors)
- Firearms and Hunting Safety
- Hunter Responsibility
- Personal Preparedness
- Wildlife Conservation
- Hunting Opportunities
- Specialty Hunting
Practical instruction includes shooting with .22 rifles or 20 gauge shotguns with light loads,
air rifles or laser education guns (mock .22 rifles that use a laser and "Shoot/Don't Shoot"
videos to provide a "live fire" experience). The courses are open to all ages and experience
levels. During the summer months, special classes for 12 to 14 year olds are available at the
Green Mountain Conservation Camps in Woodbury and Lake Bomoseen. Advanced classes in trapping
and bowhunting are also available at the advanced sessions at the camps.
Hunter Ed Q & A
Is hunting safe?
Hunting is safe because today's hunters are safer than ever before. Hunting accidents have
decreased 86% since hunter education began in Vermont in 1958-despite a significant increase in
the state's overall population. Thanks to this progress, hunting is safe and getting safer.
Who needs to take the course?
All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must successfully complete the course
before getting a license of that type.
How much does it cost?
It's free. All materials are provided by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and
the U.S. Wildlife Restoration, Division of Federal Aid, with funds derived from a tax on
firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.
When are courses available?
Courses are taught throughout the year, with peak seasons in March/April and late summer
through early October.
Is there an age requirement?
No. Students under 16 must have a parent's signature to enroll. The student manual is
written at the 6th grade level.
Can I use the course to get a license in another state?
Absolutely. All states and Canadian provinces recognize Vermont's certification.
Where can I find a safe place to practice my shooting skills?
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has published a list of the many privately run Sportsman Clubs and Shooting Ranges in Vermont. Shooting Ranges in Vermont
I lost my Hunter Ed Card, how can I get a new one?
The easiest way to obtain a new card is to fill out the form below- It will lookup and create a card which you can print on your printer.
You can also contact the Huntered Division in Waterbury and request a new card.
Hunter Education
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
10 South
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-0501
Email: huntered@state.vt.us
Phone:802-241-3720
To contribute to the mission of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department through
education and outreach by or through:
- Offering quality hunter, bowhunter, and trapper education courses that improve
the knowledge, skills and level of responsibility of the participants.
- Offering accessible, high quality classes throughout the state.
- Outreach efforts build awareness and interest in traditional outdoor
activities such as hunting and trapping.
- Interactive, fun training build the basis for lifelong participation in the
outdoors.
- Education and involvement build support for conservation and wildlife management
in Vermont.
COURSE GOALS
Goals of Hunter Education
- To develop safe, knowledgeable, and responsible hunters.
- To build support for hunting and the shooting sports in Vermont through quality, accessible hunter education classes, outreach activities and encouraging hunter involvement.
- To identify, develop, and make available ranges for hunter education use and hunter skill improvement.
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Goals of Bowhunter Education
- To provide bowhunters with the fundamentals of good, safe bowhunting.
- To promote an appreciation and respect for the environment in which they hunt, and the desire to maintain the highest standards in the sport.
- To instill in bowhunters a responsible attitude, and to assist them to adopt and follow acceptable behavior towards people, wildlife and the environment.
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Goals of Trapper Education
- To develop responsible and knowledgeable trappers.
- To support responsible furbearer management in Vermont.
- To educate the public about the benefits of regulated trapping in Vermont.
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Becoming a Hunter, Bowhunter, and Trapper Education Instructor in
Vermont
Approximately 5,000 students participate in the Vermont Hunter Education
Program annually. As a result, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
is always looking for volunteer instructors. The work is demanding, the
pay is lousy, and the hours are often long and inconvenient. Instructors
love their work not because of any material rewards or benefits, but
because they know they are contributing in some small way to the future
of hunting and trapping.
All instructor applicants must meet the following requirements:
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Have had no significant misdemeanor, felony or wildlife violations
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Enjoy working with young people
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Believe in and practice safe, responsible hunting and "fair chase"
All volunteer instructor candidates must complete an application process
that includes providing personal references and a criminal history
background check. Once complete, the instructor candidates attend an
instructor certification course where they learn about the policies and
guidelines of being a Vermont Hunter Education Program instructor.
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