Overview
Individuals may complete the Pennsylvania Basic Hunter-Trapper Education course either by attending an in-person course or by completing an online course. Pennsylvania will accept hunter education certification obtained from other states, and other states will accept Pennsylvania's Hunter-Trapper Education certification as it pertains to firearm hunting. Although Pennsylvania's Basic Hunter-Trapper Education course discusses archery and trapping, completion of this course may not be accepted in states that require an archery (bowhunter) specific or trapper specific certification.
Basic Hunter-Trapper Education
In order to receive a Pennsylvania Basic Hunter-Trapper Education certificate, students must successfully pass a multiple choice/true-false exam with a score of 80% or higher. Curriculum for both the in-person course and the online courses covers ethics and responsible hunting behavior, basic firearm safety, basic shooting skills, wildlife conservation and management, basic firearm and archery hunting techniques, outdoor preparedness and fur-taking basics. The in-person course is offered free of charge. Some online courses are fee-based.
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Basic Hunter-Trapper Education In-person Course The Basic Hunter-Trapper Education In-Person Course is offered free of charge to anyone age 11 and older. Please note - Some independent study is required prior to attending the course. Students will need to prepare by reading Chapters 1, 4, 5 and 9 in the Today's Hunter and Trapper in Pennsylvania student manual . To request a copy of the Today's Hunter and Trapper student manual by mail, please contact the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education and Outreach Division at: pgchuntereducation@pa.gov
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Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Online INTERACTIVE Course This interactive online version of the Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Course is offered to Pennsylvania residents, age 11 and older. Younger students may find this International Hunter Education Association approved interactive format more conducive to their learning style. The fee for this course is $49.95
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Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Online Course You must be a Pennsylvania resident age 16 or older to take this Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Online Course. Students who successfully complete this course, which includes an exam, will be able to print a temporary Hunter Education Certificate. A permanent certificate will be mailed to the student. The fee for this course is $34.95
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NRA Hunter Education This NRA Hunter Education course is offered to Pennsylvania residents, age 11 and older. This online course is free of charge.
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Successful Furtaking In-person Course This in-person Successful Furtaking Course is offered to anyone age 11 and older and includes cable device certification. Before attending the classroom session, students must complete an independent study portion by reading chapters 1 through 13 of the Successful Furtaking student manual. The time it takes to complete this independent study requirement will vary with each individual. To complete the independent study requirement, download a copy of the Successful Furtaking student manual or contact the PGC Hunter Education and Outreach Division at pgchuntereducation@pa.gov to request a manual by mail. The fee for this course is $15
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Cable Restraint Certification In-person Course This 4-hour classroom course offered to anyone age 11 or older, focuses specifically on the safe and humane use of cable restraints. Cable Restraint Certification is required for any trapper using cable devices to capture foxes or coyotes in Pennsylvania. The fee for this course is $15
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Cable Restraint Certification Online Course The Cable Restraint Certification Online Course is offered to anyone age 11 and older. Completion of this course provides certification for trappers to use cable restraints to capture foxes or coyotes in Pennsylvania. A temporary certificate of completion may be printed by the student at the end of the course. A permanent certificate will be mailed to the student. The fee for this course is $34.50
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Successful Bowhunting Course: In-person This classroom version of the Successful Bowhunting Course is offered to anyone age 11 and older. Successful Bowhunting Certificate Courses expand upon the National Bowhunter Education Foundation's International Bowhunter Education Program curriculum and provide students with a certificate accepted by states that require bowhunter education. There is a fee for this course. Curriculum covers safe, ethical, responsible bowhunting, big game anatomy and shot placement, distance estimation, treestand use and safety, shooting basics, and big game recovery and care. The course also includes a 3-D field exercise followed by an exam. The classroom session for this course is 8 hours. Before attending the classroom session, students must complete an independent study portion using the Today's Bowhunter student manual. To complete the independent study requirement, download a copy of the Today's Bowhunter student manual. To request a copy of the Today's Bowhunter student manual by mail, please contact the PGC Hunter Education and Outreach Division to request at: pgchuntereducation@pa.gov The fee for this course is $20 If there are no Successful Bowhunting Certificate Classroom Courses listed in your area, please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission Region Office serving your county to inquire about upcoming courses.
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Successful Bowhunting Course: Online The online Successful Bowhunting Course is offered to anyone age 16 or older. Successful Bowhunting Certificate Courses expand upon the National Bowhunter Education Foundation's International Bowhunter Education Program curriculum and provide students with a certificate accepted by states that require bowhunter education. There is a fee for this course. This online course covers the same curriculum as the in-person course with the obvious exception of the 3-D field exercise. After successfully passing the course exam, students may print a temporary certificate of completion. A permanent bowhunter education certificate will be mailed to the student. The fee for this course is $30
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Pennsylvania Archery Safety Course Online The Pennsylvania Archery Safety Online Course is specifically designed for those new to archery hunting. This is a free, informational program. It does not meet certification standards for any state requiring specific archery/bowhunter certification. This course provides the student with safety information on the use and inspection of elevated stands, selecting a stand location, using fall-arrest systems and haul lines, essential crossbow safety, proper shot placement, practicing and perfecting your skills, and Pennsylvania specific laws and regulations for bowhunting. This online course is offered free of charge.
Pennsylvania Field Days
Field Days introduce participants to outdoor sports such as archery, trapping, and hunting through closely supervised hands-on activities.
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Learn to Hunt Program
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Learn to Hunt Program is designed to help individuals of all ages become successful hunters.
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Hunter-Trapper Education Programs
See all available Hunter-Trapper Education Programs and Frequently Asked Questions.
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