Is the hunter-trapper education course required to go hunting?

[jcabin]

Is the hunter-trapper education course required to go hunting here in PA?

I was pretty sure you are REQUIRED to take the one time course, which gives you a life time certification for passing. You then go ahead and buy your tags/license each season.

I was just having a discussion with a friend and he is positive you don't need to take the hunter trapper education course, as his father and his fathers friends just go and buy their tags/license every year and go off hunting.

I know his father is retired military, which from what I understand exempts him from having to take the course, but I'm not sure about his fathers friends.

Also, if you're hunting on private land, do you need the course/tags?

[jtkratzer]

You need a hunting license to hunt on any land I believe. As far as the course, most people who hunt take it as soon as they can as a kid, 11, 12 years old...I don't remember ever being asked for anything to prove I took the course. As a kid, dad always bought the hunting licenses, so I'm not sure if he ever had to show anything when I was younger.

Usually just a driver's license and maybe your social (don't remember on this one, I've missed the last few PA hunting seasons).

[sengie]

If you had a license prior to 1980 you don't have to take the course.From 1980 on all first time hunters regardless of age have to take HTE course.

[Pa. Patriot]

Jcabin was not even born in 1980.

Yes, jcabin, you need to take the HE course

[knight0334]

You do need a hunter safety course cert from PA or another state, or prove you've had a license prior. If you lie on the form it is a crime which can catch up to you some day.

Yes, you need course and tags to hunt on private land. Wild game is property of the Commonwealth, not the land owner. Exceptions though for quarantined(fenced/caged) properties with stocked "game" which are considered livestock.

Just take the class.

[sengie]

Jcabin was not even born in 1980.

Yes, jcabin, you need to take the HE course

Man am i getting old!

[jcabin]

Alright, thanks for the clarification guys.
I'm going to pre-register me and my 2 friends tommorow morning at the closest place.

[Dredly]

you "need" to take the course...

but if you walk into a walmart and get a license you don't need to show the card and once you get a licence you can keep getting them after that.


I would strongly suggest taking the course though, its a good time

[mredder351]

I'm 26 and just took the Hunter/Trapper's Education Course this year. I moved to PA about 3 years ago and had never hunted before a day in my life. Curiosity got the best of me and is making me want to hunt. The course was fun and educational. The only drawback is being in there with 11 year old boys and girls. My suggestion is register ASAP! These classes fill up fast.

[jcabin]

I'm 26 and just took the Hunter/Trapper's Education Course this year. I moved to PA about 3 years ago and had never hunted before a day in my life. Curiosity got the best of me and is making me want to hunt. The course was fun and educational. The only drawback is being in there with 11 year old boys and girls. My suggestion is register ASAP! These classes fill up fast.

Aye I just called and registered me and my friends