Hunter education rules vary by age, location

In the state of Texas, every hunter, including out-of-state hunters, born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $15.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

• Under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied;

• Age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied; or

• Age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course or purchase a "Hunter Education Deferral," and you must be accompanied.

Accompanied means hunting with a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. However, certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Some federally controlled areas require all hunters using that site to have hunter education certification. In Texas, this includes Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations. Be sure to check with the specific area prior to going hunting.

Hunter Education Deferral, which costs $10, allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year.

Take the course by Aug. 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The onetime Hunter Education Deferral is available at license vendors and went into effect Sept. 1, 2004.