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A Hunter Education Option

Internet hunter education courses are designed to meet unusual schedules and different learning styles. The course materials cover information you need to know before you go hunting in Colorado—the same information you would receive in a traditional classroom setting. Taking this type of course does not, however, eliminate the need to attend a "conclusion" class. Always use the contact information listed in the course announcement to get details about this and for other information you will need to know.

A young hunter sights in and gets some range practice.The course conclusion class provides additional skills training, covering topics of handling firearms, hunter responsibility, game laws, other hands-on learning activities (like live-fire qualification). Prior to beginning an Internet-based course, you will need to register for one with a Colorado certified instructor. (Can't find a course offering that's convenient? Go to the bottom section of this page for help.)

There are several Internet sources for Colorado-certified hunter education courses (links to them are at the left of the screen): The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) course (free), the Today’s Hunter course (fee), and the HunterExam.com course (fee) Look at their options and choose which course you like. 

If you take the IHEA course, you will take a pre-conclusion course test based on the online materials. (Some instructors may also require the students to print out the section exams as proof of completing the online material.)

If you choose to take the HunterExam.com course or the Today’s Hunter course, you will have to provide the Certificate of Completion from the online course to be allowed to complete the conclusion class with your Colorado hunter education instructor.

An Internet-based Bowhunter Education course will be offered in the near future. It will be based on the Today’s Bowhunter online course. Watch the course calendar for bowhunter education opportunities.

Enroll Now!

  1. Enroll in a Internet-based Hunter Education Course. Look for courses titled Internet-based Hunter Education Course. Review the information and instructions included with each course offering. (If there aren't any offerings convenient for you, go to the bottom section of this page for help.)
  2. Once enrolled, and you have received instructions from a Colorado Hunter Education Instructor, complete the course. Choose an Internet course provider from among the choices on the left of your screen, under Helpful Links.
  3. Complete the course with your instructor by attending a course conclusion class.
  4. Buy a license and have a successful hunt! (For hunt planning tips and advice, read the Plan Your Hunt page.)
To Find an Instructor for an Internet-based Course

All scheduled Hunter Education courses, including internet-based, are listed in the course calendar. If you live outside the Front Range area and cannot find an internet-based offering within a reasonable distance or within a reasonable time, send an e-mail inquiry to wildlife.huntered@state.co.us and include in the message
  • your first and last names
  • complete street address, including P.O. box, suite, or apartment number if applicable
  • city, state, and zip code
  • your daytime phone number
  • your e-mail address
  • any comments or additional information.

We will let you know if there is a certified instructor in your area; you can then contact the instructor to determine his or her next course offering. Please be aware that there are not certified, internet-based instructors in all parts of the state.

Homestudy Courses

The homestudy format for hunter education courses is the forerunner of today's Internet course option. Though the homestudy option is not offered as often as its Internet counterpart, you may still find homestudy offerings in the course calendar.

In a homestudy course, workbooks are used instead of a Web site. Students attend an initial orientation meeting with their instructor and receive study materials, workbooks, and practice exams/quizzes, and instructions at that time. Students then work through the lessons over a period of time determined by the instructor (usually about two weeks), then meet again for final testing and range qualification.   


Last Updated: 10/22/2009