Hunter Ed Courses

Protecting our hunting heritage through safe, knowledgeable and responsible hunters.

Kansas Hunter Education teaches new hunters to be ethical, safe and knowledgeable. The course consists of subjects covering hunter responsibility, ethics, fair chase, history of firearms, firearms basics, ammunition, basic gun safety, field safety, bowhunting, conservation and wildlife management, wildlife of Kansas, outdoor emergencies, Kansas hunting regulations and boating safety for hunters. Where possible, students may live fire and/or go through simulated hunting conditions.

The traditional hunter education course is organized and conducted by volunteer instructors across the state. By law, the course must be a minimum of 10 hours in length. Most courses average 12 hours of instruction over two or more days. Courses are offered throughout the year with the majority being conducted in the months spanning August through October. Click here for a current schedule of all courses being offered throughout the state. Note: If no courses appear under the link to a specific region, no courses are currently scheduled for that region.

Protecting our hunting heritage through safe, knowledgeable and responsible hunters.

The Internet-assisted Course format is designed to meet the needs of those individuals with conflicting schedules. The program is designed to cover the information you need to know before going hunting – the same information delivered in the traditional classroom format. Like the traditional course, there is no required fee to take the online course.

You must have access to a computer AND a printer in order to complete the online portion of an Internet-Assisted course. DO NOT REGISTER FOR AN INTERNET-ASSISTED COURSE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER AND A PRINTER!

This independent study method, a three-part process, requires pre-registration in an Internet-assisted Field Day and Testing Session, completion of the Kansas online hunter education course AND active participation in a Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session.

Part 1: Register for an Internet-Assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session.
Part 2: Complete the FREE Kansas online hunter education course.

Within 90 days prior to the Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session you have chosen you must complete the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) free course at ksoutdoors.com or click on the Kansas Hunter Education logo below.

Once on KDWPT's Online Hunter Education Certification Course home page, you will read the directions and then click, 'Begin Online Course'. You will be asked to log in or create an account. This allows the system keep track of where you are at in the course. This way if you need to stop in the middle you can come back and begin where you left off. If you are a parent, the system allows you to create an account for yourself, but gives you the opportunity to have separate course profiles for each participant. This way you do not have to create separate accounts for your children. The course is important because you will see the same material it covers on the pretest you will need to take and pass in order to get into the field day and testing session. Once complete you will be presented with a Field Day Qualifier Exam Certificate, print this and turn it in to your field day instructor.

Part 3: Attend the selected Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session.

To complete the course you must attend an Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session. Upon arrival at the selected Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session you must hand in their Field Day Qualifier Exam Certificate to prove they have completed the Kansas online assisted course. NOTE: In order to receive four hours (of the 10 hour minimum required by law) all students will be tested over the online course material. The test will be administered at the beginning of the Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session. A passing score of 22 correct answers, out of a possible 25 questions, is required to proceed with the remainder of the course. Students failing to achieve the minimum passing score of 22 will be dismissed from the class.

Attending the last day of a 10 hour traditional instructor-led course does not qualify as an Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Session.

This online Hunter Education Course is provided FREE to all Kansas residents by the NRA, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and Kansas Hunter Education.

This course is only for students aged 16 and over. Upon successful completion of this course, students aged 16 and older will be issued a final hunter education certificate and hunter education card that can be printed from a computer.

Students 11 to 16 years old need to refer to the Traditional or Internet-Assisted Course for instructions on completing hunter education.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks offers a unique program to any school in Kansas - The Hunter Education In Our Schools Program.

Available at no cost to schools, the optional course offers participating students the opportunity to obtain hunter education certification required of anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, before hunting in Kansas.

The Kansas Hunter Education in Our Schools Program provides students with basic outdoor skills that can be applied throughout their lives.  

Student learning objectives

Following the completion of the Kansas Hunter Education Course, the student will be able to:

  • Define the hunter's "Right to Hunt" and understand that their "right" can still be revoked. 
  • Understand their responsibilities as sportsmen and women
  • Demonstrate how to present a positive public image
  • Describe the difference between state regulated hunting laws and a hunter's ethics
  • Demonstrate safe firearms handling 
  • Understand and identify the many types of firearms and actions, types of ammunition and the correct usage
  • Know how to practice safe firearms cleaning and storage in the home
  • Describe the basic principles of wildlife management 
  • define habitat, carrying capacity, predator and prey
  • Identify the differences between conservation and preservation 
  • Understand how hunters are the best conservation tool in wildlife management

Identify common upland game birds, migratory birds, small game and big game

State the Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety

Demonstrate safe zone of fire and appropriate carrying methods

The Kansas Hunter Education in Our Schools Program fits several school curriculum standards

  • Science in Personal and Environmental Perspective
  • Civics-Government
  • Kansas, United States and World History
  • Physical Education

Courses/Hunter-Education-In-Our-Schools

Instructor Login - https://he.ksoutdoors.com/

Contact: Stacy Hageman; stacy.hageman@ks.gov; 620-672-5911

All classes are listed on this website as soon as they are scheduled by the volunteer instructors. The volunteer instructors set the dates and locations for their classes. The majority of classes are held from August to October, the period of peak demand. There are also a good number of classes offered in early spring prior to the turkey season. There are very few classes offered between November and February. Please keep checking regularly to find a class that fits your schedule.

CLICK ON THE COUNTY AND TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

Internet-assisted Hunter Education Field Day and Testing Sessions are organized and conducted by volunteer instructors across the state. If no sessions appear under your region, none are scheduled at this time.

DO NOT TAKE ANY ONLINE COURSE UNTIL YOU HAVE PRE-REGISTERED FOR THE INTERNET-ASSISTED HUNTER EDUCATION FIELD DAY AND TESTING SESSION OF YOUR CHOICE.

3/30/24 - Cloud Co. - Concordia
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Cloud County Fair Grounds)

4/8/24 - Ottawa Co. - Minneapolis
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Ottawa State Fishing Lake)

4/6/24 - Johnson Co. - Shawnee
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Shawnee Civic Center)

10/19/24 - Geary Co. - Junction City
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Sportsman Acres)

8/17/24 - Geary Co. - Junction City
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Sportsman Acres)

4/13/24 - Geary Co. - Junction City
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Sportsman Acres)

3/23/24 - Seward Co. - Kismet
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Kismet Pavilion)

3/30/24 - Pawnee Co. - Kinsley
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Kinsley Gun Club)

3/23/24 - Butler Co. - El Dorado
Hunter Ed Internet assisted fied day and testing session
(El Dorado State Park Range)

4/6/24 - Lyon Co. - Emporia
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Rex & Deb Williams farm)

3/23/24 - Montgomery Co. - Cherryvale
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Cherryvale Community Center)

4/27/24 - Chautauqua Co. - Cedarvale
Hunter Ed Internet assisted field day and testing session
(Cedarvale High School)

CLICK ON THE TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

3/29/24 - 3/30/24: Ellis Co. - Hays
Hunter Ed Course
(Hays Rec)

4/19/24 - 4/20/24: Republic Co. - Belleville
Hunter Ed Course
(Central Christian Church)

CLICK ON THE TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

4/12/24 - 4/20/24: Douglas Co. - Lawrence
Hunter Ed Course
(First Presbyterian Church & Fraternal Order of Police Lodge)

4/13/24 - 4/14/24: Jackson Co. - Holton
Hunter Ed Course
(Holton Middle School)

4/3/24 - 4/6/24: Johnson Co. - Gardner
Hunter Ed Course
(Gardner Justice Center, Community Room)

4/13/24 - 4/15/24: Johnson Co. - Olathe
Hunter Ed Course
(Bass Pro Shops)

3/18/24 - 3/23/24: Leavenworth Co. - Ft Leavenworth
Hunter Ed Course
(Fort Leavenworth Rod and Gun Club)

3/19/24 - 3/26/24: Riley Co. - Manhattan
Hunter Ed Course
(Tuttle Creek State Park Office)

9/24/24 - 10/1/24: Riley Co. - Manhattan
Hunter Ed Course
(Tuttle Creek State Park)

10/22/24 - 10/29/24: Riley Co. - Manhattan
Hunter Ed Course
(Tuttle Creek State Park)

CLICK ON THE TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

4/13/24 - 4/14/24: Kearny Co. - Lakin
Hunter Ed Course
(Lakin Gun Club)

4/20/24 - 4/21/24: Scott Co. - Scott City
Hunter Ed Course
(Child Advocacy Center)

CLICK ON THE TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

4/11/24 - 4/13/24: Reno Co. - Hutchinson
Hunter Ed Course
(Central Christian School)

3/22/24 - 3/24/24: Sedgwick Co. - Maize
Hunter Ed Course
(Maize Rec Center)

8/23/24 - 8/24/24: Sedgwick Co. - Wichita
Hunter Ed Course
(Great Plains Nature Center)

3/22/24 - 3/23/24: Sedgwick Co. - Wichita
Hunter Ed Course
(Great Plains Nature Center)

CLICK ON THE TOWN NAME TO FIND REGISTRATION CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

4/13/24 - 4/14/24: Anderson Co. - Garnett
Hunter Ed Course
(Optimist Youth Building)

4/12/24 - 4/13/24: Anderson Co. - Welda
Hunter Ed Course
(Mont Ida Church)

5/3/24 - 5/4/24: Cherokee Co. - Columbus
Hunter Ed Course
(Cherokee Co Sportsmen Club)

4/26/24 - 4/27/24: Crawford Co. - Girard
Hunter Ed Course
(Girard American Legion)

The Department has begun offering Advanced Hunter Education classes on specific types of hunting. Courses such as beginning waterfowl, goose, upland bird, deer and varmint hunting will be offered. The classes will be basic instruction in the type hunting listed. These courses are taught by volunteers. The classes will be listed here as they are scheduled by the instructors.

These Advanced Hunter Education classes do NOT substitute for a required Hunter Education Course.

 

9/9/23 - Osborne Co. - Osborne
Outdoor Youth Fair
(Osborne)