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Official Ohio Hunter Safety Course

Ohio Department of Natural Resources logo
International Hunter Education Association USA logo

Take this Ohio–approved course to complete your online hunter safety education. Hunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Lifetime Card

Do you need Ohio Hunting education?

All first-time hunting license buyers, except apprentice license buyers, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources logo
International Hunter Education Association USA logo

How to Get your Hunter Education Certificate in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for a Hunter Ed account, pay for the official course, and get started. It only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

Step 2 image

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

Hunt Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temp Card Immediately

After passing the online course, you're able to print your hunter education certificate immediately.

Step 4

hunt step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Hunting!

That's it. You're ready to buy your tag and hit the field.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Requirements

You must be 12 years of age or older to take the online course.

You must be a resident of Ohio to take the online course.

After This Course

If you are under 12 years of age you may still experience the great hunting opportunities Ohio has to offer by utilizing our Apprentice Hunting License. Information on the Apprentice licenses and be found here Apprentice Hunting License. We encourage everyone interested in hunting to review the online hunter education Study Guide. It is a great primer for anyone interested in hunting.

What to Expect From Hunter Ed

Live‐Action, High‐Definition Videos

Our course videos feature a combination of professional educators (who double as professional actors), entertaining storylines, and up‐to‐date scenarios that give you one of the most effective ways to learn safe hunting practices.

Watch this 73-second sample to see how we put you in the hunter’s camo.

Comprehensive Instruction in Ohio Hunting Safety Education

This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Hunting safety education established by Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Hunter Ed is the only safety course provider that develops print materials that cover Hunting safety best practices and regulations.

Pages from a hunter handbook

Learn Your Way on Any Device

Hunter Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish. This safety course is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Hunter course displayed on various devices
Course outline displaying progress

Saved Progress

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress. Most students finish the course in a few hours.

Ohio Approved

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, Building G Columbus, Ohio 43229

Made in the U.S.A.

This Ohio hunter safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations in the state of Ohio and worldwide.

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate or Ohio Hunter Education Home Study Completion Voucher?

1. Study and pass the Ohio Department of Natural Resources–Approved online course.

Study and pass the $24.95 course. Throughout the Ohio Hunter Ed Course, you’ll be tested on what you’ve learned.

2. Get your Ohio Hunter Education Certificate.

If you are 12 years or older, you’ll print your permanent Hunter Education Certificate after successfully passing the course and paying the fee.

Get Certified
Ohio Department of Natural Resources logo

Deer hunting in Ohio offers various hunting periods, each with its own technique, such as archery, gun, and muzzleloader seasons. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife webpage is the best resource to find the start dates for each hunting season.

During archery season, which lasts from late September to early February, deer are more active and less cautious. Successful hunting, however, may require greater skill and stealth due to the shorter shooting distances involved. As for the gun season, it usually takes place in late November, with both a week-long season and a two-day weekend season. More hunters participate during this time, but the higher success rates are attributed to increased opportunities and the effectiveness of firearms. Muzzleloader season is usually scheduled in January.

Bear in mind that hunters born after December 31, 1977, will need to complete a hunter education course to acquire a hunting license. Firearm safety, hunting ethics, and wildlife conservation are a few of the topics that the course will cover, all to ensure a safe experience.

Good news for out-of-state hunters: Ohio generally accepts hunter education certifications from other states, provinces, or countries. However, it's crucial to double-check this information with the ODNR before planning your deer hunting trip to Ohio. Happy hunting!

Logos; Huntwise, Hunter-Ed

Hunt More Strategically

The HuntWise app combines pinpoint mapping features with accurate weather forecasting to provide hunters with the ideal tool to determine the best times and places to hunt all major North American game species. Complete your Hunter's Ed certification and you can get 50% off everything HuntWise PRO has to offer.

You can take advantage of this offer during checkout.

Callout; Huntwise

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Ohio Frequently Asked Questions

Price and Payment

How much does the Ohio Hunter Ed Course cost?

The Ohio Hunter Ed Course fee is $24.95.

Taking the Course

Do you need Ohio Hunting education?

All first-time hunting license buyers, except apprentice license buyers, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

You must be 12 years of age or older to take the online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Ohio Hunter Ed Course?

You must be a resident of Ohio to take the online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Ohio Hunter Ed Course approved by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources?

The Ohio Hunter Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Is my Ohio Hunter Education Certificate accepted elsewhere?

All U.S. states, provinces, and other countries that have mandatory hunter education requirements will accept the Ohio Hunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Ohio will accept Hunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)

Quizzes and/or Exams

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you can take it again until you pass. You must score at least 80% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

The Final Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 75% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

About Your Certification

What is the proof of online Ohio Hunter Ed Course completion?

Once you pay for and pass the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Hunter Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Hunter Education Certificate right then and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you.

What is the permanent Ohio Hunter Education Certificate?

If you are 12 years or older, the Hunter Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the hunter education requirements and allows you to legally purchase a hunting license in Ohio.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my permanent card or certificate if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost or destroyed Hunter Education Certificate, log in to the course and print a new one, or visit https://ilostmycard.com to order a plastic wallet card.

You also have the option of ordering a durable permanent card as a replacement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources by completing the form at https://ilostmycard.com/.

We’re people, not robots.

Your Hunter Ed course comes with a dedicated customer service team made up of real people, not robots. We’re here to provide assistance to you through all channels—phone, email, and chat.

We’re available to help you:

Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm CST
Sat-Sun 8am to 5pm CST
1-800-830-2268 (toll free)

Members of the Kalkomey Support Team
Support