Students age 9 and older can still complete the hunter education course entirely online if they choose. The virtual field day portion of the online class replaces the in-person field skills evaluation in this case.Students under age 9 can still take the online course but are required to attend a field skills evaluation class in person.

Students of all ages can take the traditional classroom, in-person hunter education courses if they choose.

For more information and to register for the all-online course, visit hunter-ed.com/washington.

For more on hunter education requirements and upcoming in-person classes, visit wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education/basic. Registration for the traditional classroom course and the online plus field skills evaluation course will be posted there when they become available.

Hunter Education Deferral Program

Do you want to take someone hunting but they haven’t completed hunter education? Are you interested in trying hunting and want to safely gain experience?

The Hunter Education Deferral Program allows a new hunter at least 10 years old to go hunting with an experienced hunter over 18 years of age before completing a hunter education course. It’s a one-license-year, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Check this link for more information and to see if you qualify: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education/deferral-program

Mentored hunts

WDFW is excited to help connect caring and knowledgeable mentors with people new to hunting or hunters who want to learn to hunt a different species. New hunters and those learning to hunt a different species can initially be a bit overwhelmed. Mentors are passionate about passing on their knowledge and skills to new hunters. This provides a foundation that paves the way for rich future hunting experiences and all the benefits that are part of the hunting tradition. Those interested in participating in a mentored hunt can contact Aaron Garcia at [email protected], and he will help connect them with a First Hunt Foundation mentor.

WDFW expects to offer mentored hunts during the fall hunting seasons. Hunters, mentors, and any other mentored hunt participants in Washington will be responsible for following current WDFW directives and guidance related to COVID-19.