California Hunter Education Program

California Hunter Education Program, established in 1954, is a ten-hour course that teaches hunters who wish to get their hunting license for the first time the importance of firearm safety as well as other topics. State statistics has shown that this program has proven successful in the reduction of hunting accidents, especially fatalities.

This program, which is conducted by the California Department of Fish and Game, educates at least 30,000 hunters each year, enabling them to become first time resident hunters who join the ranks of the more experienced California hunters who safely enjoy this sport each year.

First-time hunters in the State of California are required to successfully complete the California Hunter Education Program, which consists of ten-hours of hunter education held in a classroom setting, in a field setting and with homework. This ten-hour program covers topics such as firearms, wildlife, types of hunting, first aid and survival. Students involved in this program will learn the proper procedures involved with handling firearms in various situations, safely transporting firearms, safely loading and unloading firearms and other techniques related to firearms and firearm safety.

Students will also have the opportunity to better understand the wildlife they will be hunting. With proper management and techniques, students will gain the knowledge to properly identify wildlife, to care for the wildlife and to conserve the wildlife population so that it remains huntable in the future. Another important aspect of this program is different types of weapons used in the great sport of hunting, including archery and black power or muzzleloading, which will both have their own set of safety procedures that will be addressed.