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 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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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
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
Sell all available Hunter-Trapper Education Programs and Frequently Asked Questions.
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