Hunter and Bowhunter Safety Education Courses and Field Days
Oregon requires all hunters under the age of 18 to complete a hunter safety education course before hunting in the state. Upon course completion, students will receive a temporary Hunter Safety certification card to be carried while hunting in Oregon until a permanent card is received in the mail to replace it. Hunters over 18 are encouraged to take the online education course, as it may be required for out of state hunts.
Note: Youth under the age of 9 may struggle with the course material and may not have the physical strength needed to safely handle a firearm during a Field Day, particularly during muzzle control, loading, and unloading drills.
- Register for an ONLINE Hunter Safety Course
- All online courses are offered through ODFW's approved partners.
- Youth who complete the online Hunter Safety Education course must bring proof of completion to the Field Day (requires a separate registration. See "Register for a Class").
Official Interactive Oregon Hunter Safety Course - $49.95
- Interactive experience
- Access on any device
Official Oregon Hunter Safety Course - $34.95
- 9.5/10 Student Ratings
- Includes a free digital study guide
- Access on any device
Visually immersive Oregon Hunter Safety Course - $29.00
- Exclusive virtual field day to prepare you for the actual Field Day
- Interactive animations, including bow, shotgun, and rifle shooting ranges
- Narrated for all hunting scenarios
- Access on any device
Illustrated Official Oregon Hunter Safety Course – Free
- Easy learning system with narration and visuals
- 6th grade reading and comprehension level
- Register for a Field Day
- Youth must bring proof of completion from ODFW approved Online Hunter Safety course to field day.
- Field Day includes a multiple-choice written exam, live-fire exercises, ethical hunting practices, and a hands-on evaluation of safe firearm handling.
- All equipment is provided by ODFW. Do not bring your own firearms or ammunition.
- When registering, please update the youth profile with correct email and mailing address. Youth will receive a temporary card upon course completion and a permanent card will be mailed.
- $10 registration fee
- Register for an IN-PERSON Hunter Safety Course
- In-person Conventional course tailored for youth and consists of 14-16 hours of immersive classroom instruction spread over multiple sessions, includes a multiple-choice written exam and a Field Day consisting of live-fire exercises, ethical hunting practices, and a hands-on evaluation of safe firearm handling.
- All equipment is provided by ODFW. Do not bring your own firearms or ammunition.
- When registering, please update the youth profile with correct email and mailing address. Youth will receive a temporary card upon course completion and a permanent card will be mailed.
- $10 registration fee
Holding a Bowhunter Safety Education certification is not required to hunt during archery-only seasons in Oregon. However, it is required in several surrounding states. Requirements vary by state, with some states requiring it for all first-time hunters, others based on age, and some requiring it only in specific areas or for certain seasons. It's crucial to always check the local regulations of the state you plan to hunt in, as requirements can change. Oregon's Bowhunter Safety Education Certification is accepted in all other states and Canadian Provinces. (Bowhunter Education Classes do not fulfill the requirements for a Hunter Safety Education Certificate. The certificate you receive does fulfill the Bowhunter Certification requirement in other States).
While Bowhunter Safety Education is voluntary in Oregon, it is a great course that every hunter can benefit from. In fact, bowhunters who have completed the program are more successful at harvesting deer and elk than those who have not.
- Register for the Online Bowhunter Safety Course
Official Oregon Bowhunter Safety Course - $30.00
- Introduction to bowhunting
- Wildlife conservation
- Safe and responsible bowhunting
- Know your gear
- Preparing for the hunt
- Hunting from elevated stands and other bowhunting techniques
- Shot placement and recovery techniques
Once you finish the online course, register for a bowhunter safety education field day to receive a permanent card.
These programs are funded by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson)
All registered Field Day students are required to print, complete, and bring to the event: Attendee Liability Release and Firearms Use forms. Students under 18 must have their parent/guardian complete these forms.
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