Hunter Education course or field day registration

Registration for these events is open now! Students will need their own license account to register for the class or field day. Find out how to verify account first or create an account here.

If you don’t see a date or location that works for your schedule, check back regularly– we post new events as soon as we receive new dates and locations. We will be offering a number of classes and field days this summer and fall.

If you register for a field day, remember to bring your completed online certificate or ODFW completion certificate to the event. If you have already mailed your completed workbook to ODFW, you need to bring your ODFW completion certificate to your field day. Students have two options to complete Hunter Education.  They can either attend a Conventional Class (the Field Day is already part of the class, please do not sign up for another field day) or complete the online course through one of the four online course providers and register for a Field Day.”

Please follow these guidelines to help protect the health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff and to follow Oregon Health Authority guidance and the Governor’s Executive Orders.

• Classes will hold a maximum of 25 students.  Parents and family members -- please wait in the car, or if the facility is large enough, stay back approximately 12 yards from the group. Parents have to be counted in the  class size if they’re “inside” the group. We need to manage that number and spacing to meet public health guidelines and for the students to complete this class. Registration is required ahead of time. Walk in students cannot be accommodated.  
• Make sure the student’s ODFW license account has a valid phone number and email address so we can communicate about class logistics. Class may be cancelled at anytime due to changing conditions.
• All instructors will be wearing masks as a part of their safety equipment, just like safety glasses and hearing protection. The masks help protect the health of other participants, volunteers and staff.
• All students are required to wear a mask. Please bring your own.
• Do not attend class or field day if you or anyone in your household have recently had an illness with fever or a new cough. If you have a weakened immune system, this might not be a good time to participate in an ODFW event.
• Do NOT bring firearms or ammo – the Hunter Education program will supply them for use. Safety glasses and hearing protection is also provided.
• Note: Classes and field days may be cancelled due to COVID

Thank you all for your cooperation. Following these guidelines will help protect the health and safety of participants, volunteer instructors and ODFW staff.

 In Oregon, a Hunter Education course is required for all new hunters age 17 and younger unless hunting on land owned by a parent or legal guardian, or unless participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program.

This course provides a thorough introduction to the skills hunters need, such as firearm safety, hunter ethics, wildlife identification and hunt preparation. PLEASE NOTE: ODFW has written a temporary rule for the 2020 hunting season that if a student completes the online course or workbook, they may hunt this year without participating in a Field Day. They must carry that proof on their person while hunting. If the student completes the workbook option, they must mail to:

• ODFW - Hunter Education, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Salem, OR 97302. ODFW will in return mail a completion certificate to the student. Students should include first name, last name, mailing address, parent phone # and parent email address. This temporary rule expires March 31, 2021.
• Students will not receive a permanent hunter safety certificate until they do participate and pass the field day portion. 

We also recommend Hunter Education for any adult new to hunting, or as a refresher for experienced hunters. Some nearby states also require every hunter in their state to have completed Hunter Education.

PLEASE NOTE: ODFW has written a temporary rule for the 2020 hunting season that if a student completes the online course they may hunt this year without participating in a Field Day. They must carry that proof on their person while hunting. Students will not receive a permanent hunter safety certificate until they participate and pass the field day portion. 

ODFW offers courses in two formats aimed at different learning styles:

• Conventional classroom setting includes 14-16 hours of classroom instruction and a field day with a live fire exercise and hands on evaluation of safe firearms handling. The course costs $10 per student. Click here for a list of upcoming classes.
• Online through one of four approved courses. Each course takes about six hours and the cost varies depending on the course provider. In addition to the online course, youth also are required to take a field day (unless you are hunting under the 2020 temp rule). Click here for list of online course providers, or here to register for a field day. Click here for a list of upcoming field days. Adults are not required to attend a field day. Adults will receive certification upon completion of the adult online course.

How to register for an ODFW course, workshop or event

Upcoming Hunter Education Classes and Field Days

There is no minimum age to take a course, but children under age 11 often have a difficult time with the material. Younger students may also lack the upper body strength necessary to handle a firearm safely and control the muzzle during loading and unloading drills.

Please note that youth may apply for a controlled hunt before they complete hunter education, but must pass hunter education before actually hunting on their own tag or validation.

ODFW does not refund class fees, which are used for program equipment and supplies

Remember that you cannot register for an ODFW activity without an online account.

Assurances

The Oregon Outdoor Skills Program is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and offers all persons the opportunity to participate in programs and activities regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. No individual will be turned away from or otherwise be denied access to or benefit from, any program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: Chief, Public Civil Rights Division, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Header photo by Jason Bader