Certified volunteer hunter and bowhunter education instructors across Nebraska host classes throughout the year, but late summer and early fall are when most classes are offered.
Hunters ages 12 through 29 must take firearm hunter education to hunt any species with a firearm or air gun, and bowhunters age 12 through 29 must take bowhunter education to hunt deer, antelope, elk, or bighorn sheep with a bow or crossbow.
Participants must be at least 11 years old to enroll in a class. Those ages 11-15 can complete an in-person or hybrid class (online and in-person requirements). Those ages 16 and older can complete online, hybrid, or in-person classes.
APPRENTICE HUNTER EDUCATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
Anyone ages 12 through 29 who has not completed firearm or bowhunter education may purchase an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate that temporarily exempts them from hunter and bowhunter education requirements when they follow certain rules.
For more information on the Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate, enrolling in hunter education classes, or to sign up to be notified when classes are scheduled, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org. Instructors typically schedule classes one month in advance.
IN-PERSON CLASSROOM COURSES
Classroom courses are a minimum of eight hours and provide instruction on safe firearm and/or archery equipment use, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification, and conservation management. Instruction is followed by a multiple choice and true/false test. A score of 85 percent is needed to earn a certificate. Classroom courses are offered statewide, free of charge. Note: The combination hunter/bowhunter education classroom course is 12-hours of instruction minimum.
Students attending a classroom course must attend all scheduled class dates to earn certification. Instructors are not required to offer make-up days for missed classes.
HYBRID COURSES
Hybrid courses are a combination of an approved online course followed by an in-person Hunt Safe Session. Students cannot attend an in-person Hunt Safe Session until they successfully complete an approved online course.
Step 1 – Complete an approved online course. The online courses are designed to be completed in 6-8 hours and allow students to work at their own pace. The two approved online courses below cost $29.50 and $30, respectively.
Step 2 – Attend a Hunt Safe Session. The Hunt Safe Session is a 2-hour in-person review that emphasizes equipment safety for both firearms and archery, tree stand safety and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered statewide, free of charge. Online registration is required.
Students must show the instructor their certificate of completion proving they completed an approved online course at the beginning of a Hunt Safe Session. Proof can be an electronic or paper copy of the certificate of completion.
ONLINE COURSES
Online courses are designed to be completed in 6-8 hours and allow students to work at their own pace. The two approved online courses, below, cost $29.50 and $30, respectively.
Students age 16-29 who complete an approved online course earn certification entirely online. Students age 16-29 may attend a Hunt Safe Session if they would like in-person instruction, but this is not a requirement for certification.
BECOME A CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR
Game and Parks is seeking applicants interested in becoming a certified volunteer hunter and/or bowhunter education instructor.
To view requirements and to fill out an application, visit OutdoorNebraska. gov/hunt/learn-to-hunt/ become-a-hunting-mentor/ or contact Kyle Gaston at kyle.gaston@nebraska. gov or 402-471-6134.
