Hunting in Florida: Are Safety Courses Required to Hunt in Florida? How Do I Pass Classes?

Florida requires all hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, to take part in safety training before they can acquire a recreational hunting license. You must be the age of 16 to acquire a license. This requirement includes children involved in the state sponsored youth hunting program.

ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), hunter safety course options include:

Option 1: Traditional Courses and Skills Day
This course requires participants to demonstrate their knowledge in a traditional class course and their skills hands-on. You can register for the safety course online and must pre-register before you can take the class. Courses are offered throughout Florida in order to meet public need.

Option 2: Online Course and Skills Day (Two Steps)
This program is a combination of two parts, a skills day and an online course. You should register for both parts of the course at the same time. The online course must be passed before you can take part in the skills day. Florida’s free online safety course for hunters can be found at beasafehunter.org. Other online options include: hunteredcourse.com, which requires a $13 fee; hunter-ed.com, which requires a $24.50 fee; or huntercourse.com, which also requires a fee, $24.95. The programs that require a fee do not charge until you have passed the course.

VOTE NOW: Is Florida Gov. Rick Scott Doing a Good Job?

Option 3: Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) now offers youth, particularly high school students in grades 9 to 12, the ability to complete their Hunter Safety and Boater Safety certification while earning high school credit. The new FLVS physical education course is now available for free to Florida students. Anyone in school, ages 12 to 18, can take the course. Completion of the course allows students to receive their Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card and their Florida Hunter Safety Certificate.

Option 4: Firearms Safety Certification and Online Course
This course is only available to adults who are residents of Florida, according to FWC. Individuals who have already completed firearms training can take one of the other training courses listed above and fill out paperwork documentation to get credit for previous training. Together that provides the hunter with completion of the Florida hunter safety requirement.

All children under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian accompany them to the classes listed in order to participate.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now

Related Stories:

• Dick's Sporting Goods Guns: 7 Types of Guns You Can and Cannot Buy
  
• Best Rifle for Deer Hunting: Experts Offer Advice