Become a Hunter Education Instructor

Instructors are the future of Hunter Education in California!

The backbone of California’s hunter education training effort is the many dedicated volunteer instructors, who give their time and energy to the program. They have been the driving force for the program since its inception. California instructors have trained well over one million hunters since the start of the program. Training in the principles of firearm safety, hunter ethics and sportsmanship, wildlife conservation and management, and hunter-landowner relations are the keys for a safe hunting future.

Become Involved

To become a hunter education instructor, contact your District Coordinator. The hunter education instructor application process consists of the following requirements.

All applicants must:

  • have sufficient hunting experience as determined by the District Coordinator
  • be at least 18 years of age
  • successfully complete the hunter education course prior to submitting an application
  • contact the local regional coordinator and submit an application form for review
  • not have been convicted of any felony
  • submit fingerprints and background investigation information
  • complete a course of study prior to taking a supervised examination covering the basic topics of hunter education

Upon successful completion of the application and initial screening, the applicant is certified and issued an instructor’s identification card and start-up kit. An applicant may be required to student teach under the direction of an experienced instructor prior to teaching classes on their own.

Hunter Education Logo

The agency receives federal funds. Under federal law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, etc. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility of this agency, please contact CDFW’s CRO Officer at (916) 902-5577 or  CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(opens in new tab), or the U.S. Department of the Interior(opens in new tab), or contact their office as follows:

   Chief, Public Civil Rights Division
   Department of the Interior
   1849 C Street NW
   Washington, DC 20240