An official website of the State of Georgia.
Residents and non-residents born on or after January 1, 1961 must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a season hunting license. However, a hunter education course is not required to purchase an Apprentice License or a license identified as a “Short Term” License. Hunter education courses certified or mandated by any state wildlife agency or Canadian province are accepted. Hunter Education is not required to hunt on one's own land or land of a parent or guardian.
Are you a recent hunter education graduate? Learn more about the new three-month range pass for new hunter education graduates.
Age Requirements
Hunters Under Age 12
Hunters under age 12 are not required to complete a hunter education course. However, no one under age 12 may hunt unless under direct supervision, i.e. within sight or hearing of licensed adult (at least 18 years old) hunter. It is unlawful for an adult to permit their child or ward under age 12 to hunt unsupervised. Special restrictions apply to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) & National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs).
Hunters Age 12–15
Must complete a hunter education course prior to hunting unless under direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter. It is unlawful for an adult to permit their child or ward (12–15) to hunt without adult supervision unless the child possesses a hunter education certificate while hunting.
Hunters Age 16–25
Must present a hunter education certificate when purchasing a season hunting license and must possess the certificate while hunting.
Hunters Over Age 25
Hunters over age 25 and born after January 1, 1961 must meet hunter education course requirements but need not present their hunter education certificate when buying a season hunting license or possess it while hunting.
Online Courses for GA Hunter Education Certification
Currently, there are several approved online hunter education courses (with varying fees) that Georgia residents may take for a convenient alternative to the classroom course.
Follow these steps to complete your hunter education certification completely online:
- Locate or create a GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com account.
- Choose to take and complete any of the five online hunter education courses below.
- After you pass your course, log into your account and print your new Georgia Hunter Safety Certificate. Having trouble printing your certificate? Please call 1-800-366-2661.
Fast and Interactive Hunter Education Made Easy and Fun.
Get Certified in 3 Steps:
- Study and pass the $49.95 interactive course.
- Instantly print your temporary hunter education certificate.
- Go hunting!
Course Features
- Finish up to 3X faster!
- Interactive game-style experience on any of your devices.
- Play and pass at your own pace.
- Amazing customer service support.
Immersive Georgia Hunter Education on Any Device.
Get Certified in 3 Steps:
- Study and pass the $29.00 online course.
- Meet state requirements.
- Go hunting!
Course Features
- Exclusive virtual field day to prepare you for the field!
- Interactive animations, including bow, shotgun and rifle shooting ranges.
- Fully illustrated, animated and narrated for all hunting scenarios.
Official State of Georgia Online Hunter Education
Get Certified in 3 Steps:
- Study and pass the $28.95 online course.
- Meet state requirements.
- Go hunting!
Course Features
- 9.5/10 rating from our students.
- Official state materials across any of your devices. (Including free digital study guide!)
- Available in multiple learning styles.
Lifetime Access to Hunter Education, Designed for All Ages and Abilities
Get Certified in 3 Steps:
- Study and pass the $28.95 online course.
- Print your temporary hunter education certificate.
- Go hunting!
Course Features
- Lifetime access to course materials and exams.
- Study at your own pace with automatic progress tracking.
- Free course registration for students under the age of 16 for the HUNTINGsmart Youth Hunter Education Courses.
Realistic Online Hunter Education with Real World Scenarios
Get Certified in 3 Steps:
- Study and pass the $19.95 online course.
- Meet additional state requirements.
- Go hunting!
Course Features
- Photo based learning materials to prepare you for real world scenarios.
- Money back guarantee if you do not successfully pass.
- Sixth grade reading and comprehension level.
Free Courses
Alternately, there are free options for Georgia residents to acquire hunter education certification:
Classroom Course
This option provides in-person instruction of the Hunter Education course. Find and sign up for a class.
Online Course
This option provides a free online course for students under the age of 16 at HUNTINGsmart.
Additional Information & Opportunities
Replacement Certificates
Anyone who completed a Georgia hunter education course and needs a replacement Hunter Education Certificate can visit www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com and print one for free.
Free 3-Month Range Pass
Recent Georgia hunter ed grad? You have a free 3-month range pass! When you pass the Hunter Education Course, your certification card doubles as a free 3-month pass at any Department of Natural Resources shooting range.
Free Tree Stand Safety Course
If you hunt from a tree stand, please take the time to take a 15-minute free tree stand safety course. This course is offered by HunterCourse.
Bowhunter Education Course
Georgia resident hunters who wish to improve their bowhunting safety knowledge or are hunting in a state that requires bowhunter education now have the opportunity to complete bowhunter education online. Though bowhunter education in not required in Georgia, it is required in several states. Take the online bowhunter education course.
Driver's License Requirement
Hunters age 16 and older must have a hunting license to hunt, unless they are resident hunters hunting either on their own land or lands of an immediate family member (see definition of immediate family member). If born on or after January 1, 1961, they must also have completed a Hunter Education Course. If a resident youth does not yet have a state-issued Driver’s License, they will need a State of Georgia ID issued by the Department of Driver Services or a Georgia Instructional Permit in order to purchase their hunting license.
