Get replacement HuntSAFE or Bowhunter Ed cards.

This free, classroom-style course allows students to participate in multiple in-person sessions; providing participants with knowledge and skills relative to hunting and hunter safety.

To be eligible for certification, students must:

• Be present and participate in all the required sessions.

• Attend all scheduled course meetings. No absences will be accepted.

• Pass a written test at the end of the course. Students are also evaluated on their skills and attitude throughout the course.

• Demonstrate what they have learned about firearms safety. Most courses include a live-fire exercise, under the close supervision of instructors.

HuntSAFE courses are required for persons age 12 through 15. Participants of all ages are welcome.

Persons who are 11 may participate, but will not be issued a HuntSAFE certification card until their 12th birthday, unless the card is clearly marked that the card is not valid until the person's 12th birthday.

Exception: If a student's 12th birthday falls on or between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, he/she may be issued a card and is eligible to obtain a license and hunt beginning Sept. 1 of that year.

Students who successfully complete a HuntSAFE course receive an identification card containing their name, date of certification, a certification number and the signature of the instructor. Until the student is 16, a parent or guardian must present the HuntSAFE certification card to a license agent when purchasing the young person's hunting license.

Classroom Courses

View classroom course schedule and pre-register.

HuntSAFE Independent Study Course

This self-paced course is available to anyone 11 and older.

Anyone younger than 16 will need to complete a field day after the completion of the online course to receive their HuntSAFE certification. After successful completion of the online course print off a copy of the Field Day Voucher and give it to the HuntSAFE instructor at an in-person Field Day. A schedule of in-person classes can be found here.

Anyone 16 and older will receive their HuntSAFE certification after completing this online Independent Study Course.

The Independent Study HuntSAFE course is a blended learning course where a student completes their coursework online at their own pace and as their schedule allows. The course features English and Spanish voice narrations and realistic illustrations.

Take Online Course

Contact the HuntSAFE Coordinator, Brandon Maahs, with questions at Brandon.Maahs@state.sd.us or 605-280-3782.

Classroom and Online Courses

Start or view the online course. Classroom courses are usually scheduled January - September by volunteer instructors.

*Bowhunter Education is no longer required to archery hunt in the state of South Dakota.

The online course option teaches safety in-the-field, bowhunting basics, shot placement and recovery techniques through easy-to-understand information, instructional videos and detailed illustrations. This course allows the student to study for free, paying $30 upon passing the course. The student must create an account and register before taking the course. A certificate of completion will be provided for the student to print after completing the course. Cards will not be mailed to the student.

HuntSAFE and Bowhunter Education instructor login.

The IHEA courses found here do not substitute your current HuntSAFE course, but rather are available for additional learning.