Hunter Education Program

The Delaware Hunter Education Program is committed to putting safe, ethical and educated hunters in the field. The program requires anyone born after January 1, 1967, to satisfactorily complete a Basic Hunter Education Course before obtaining a Delaware Hunting license. Since its establishment in 1970, more than 35,000 Delaware hunters have been certified through the Delaware Hunter Education Program.

The intent of the program is to preserve Delaware’s heritage of hunting through education. With an emphasis on safety, the program has proven to be extremely effective in reducing hunting accidents.

While the accident rate has significantly decreased, changing demographics and the decreasing amount of open space for habitat and hunting have created new considerations for hunters, landowners, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and Delaware’s general public (who may or may not be hunters themselves). In response, the Delaware Hunter Education Program is also changing to meet the demands and challenges of a new hunting era.

Our emphasis continues to be on safety -- through improved methods and techniques of Delaware’s volunteer hunting instructors. Today’s curriculum includes landowner relations, ethical behavior, wildlife identification, wildlife management and conservation, hunting and game laws and their enforcement.

Become a volunteer hunting instructor! Click here for a Volunteer Hunter Instructor Application.

The Delaware Hunter Education Program is committed to preserving the heritage of hunting through education. In addition to Delaware's mandatory Basic Hunter Education, Turkey Education and Trapper Education courses, the program offers numerous advanced courses in Bowhunting, Muzzleloading, Migratory Waterfowl and Deer Hunting, and Proper Game Care - From Field to Table.

The new Delaware Master Hunter Program provides advanced hunter education for the experienced hunter and strives to develop advocates, ambassadors and role models for hunting with the goal of continuing the heritage of hunting and ensuring its future for generations to come. In addition, the Young Waterfowler's Program, Young Ethical Hunter Program and the Becoming An Outdoors-Woman Program are geared for women and youth.

All of these courses and programs give the hunters/trappers a resource for continued educational opportunities that keep them updated in specific disciplines. Hunters have a responsibility to themselves, other hunters, landowners and wildlife, to continue their education beyond the basics.

For further information about the Delaware Hunter Education Program and scheduled courses, click here or call 302-323-5336.

• Courses are free and are conducted by Certified Volunteer Instructors.
• Hunter Education Training is offered throughout the year, so please complete your training at least one month before your first hunt.
• Class seating is limited and will fill quickly as hunting season approaches.
• You must pre-register to attend.
• Certification cards will be mailed within 10 days after the course, and must be presented to purchase a Delaware Hunting License.
• Certification will not be issued to youth under ten years of age.
• Children Under the Age of 12 Must be Accompanied by an Adult

"A Hunter's Pledge"

Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However, the future of the sport depends on each hunter's behavior and ethics. Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to:

• Respect the environment and wildlife
• Respect property and landowners
• Show consideration for nonhunters
• Hunt safely
• Know and obey the law
• Support wildlife and habitat conservation
• Pass on an ethical hunting tradition
• Strive to improve my outdoor skills and understanding of wildlife
• Hunt only with ethical hunters

By following these principles of conduct each time I go afield, I will give my best to the sport, the public, the environment and myself. The responsibility to hunt ethically is mine; the future of hunting depends on me.

(This resolution was duly adopted at the October 26, 1993 meeting of the Advisory Council on Game and Fish, Richardson and Robbins Auditorium, Dover, Delaware.)

For more information, contact:

Bill Dugent
Office of Hunter Education
6180 Hay Point Landing Road
Smyrna, DE 19977
Office: (302) 735-3600 Cell: (302) 354-9573

Other Hunter Education Web Links of Interest
International Hunter Education Association
International Becoming an Outdoors - Woman Program
Delaware Becoming an Outdoors - Woman Program