WDFW urges prospective hunters to complete education courses ahead of fall season

OLYMPIA  - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is urging prospective hunters to complete mandatory hunter education courses ahead of the upcoming fall hunting season. With the increased demand for these courses during the fall, WDFW is encouraging new hunters to take advantage of the summer months to fulfill their education requirements.

"The summer is a great time for new hunters to take a required hunter education course so they're ready to go hunting this fall," said Dave Whipple, WDFW hunter education section manager. "Our volunteer instructors offer lots of classes during the summer. There can be limited availability for fall hunter education classes, so getting your required coursework done early helps set you up for success when the fall seasons get here."

WDFW provides both fully in-person and hybrid courses, which combine online learning with in-person instruction. The in-person course, spanning approximately 15 hours, is taught over multiple days and includes a field portion, offering students a valuable classroom experience. The hybrid course allows students to complete an online portion followed by a four- to six-hour field skills evaluation with hands-on training and assessment by certified instructors.

Under Washington state law, all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. A one-time hunter education deferral is available for prospective hunters aged 10 and older who wish to try hunting with an eligible licensed hunter before completing the course themselves. WDFW advises potential applicants to review the deferral program requirements prior to applying.

For more information on hunter education and to find upcoming courses, interested individuals can visit the WDFW hunter education website.