Hunter Education Available Online Through MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians ages 16 and older they may obtain their hunter-education certification through an all-online format. The online option allows Missourians ages 16 and older to complete their certification at their convenience at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person hunter-education skills sessions are limited in quantity and capacity. Skills sessions are necessary for anyone ages 11-15 to complete their hunter-education certification.

The cost of the online certification is $19.95, which is paid to the online provider, not MDC. The all-online option requires the passing of a final exam but has no skills portion. The all-online format is available at https://www.hunter-ed.com/missouri/.

MDC notes that, unless selected for a managed hunt, youth under the age of 16 are not required to have hunter education certification to hunt with a firearm as long as they hunt in the immediate presence of an adult age 18 or older who is hunter education certified or age exempt (during youth season) and properly licensed (during regular seasons)

MDC also reminds the public that anyone age 16 or older that does not have their hunter education certification can purchase, along with their permit, the Apprentice Hunter Authorization which allows them to hunt with a firearm in the immediate presence of an adult age 18 or older who is hunter education certified or age exempt and properly licensed. The Apprentice Authorization is good for one permit year and hunters may purchase them twice (two permit years). The cost of the Authorization is $10. Find more information at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZiX.