Alabama Bowhunting Safety and Bowhunter Education Course

The Today's Bowhunter course on bowhunting safety is the official online bowhunter education course of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. Bowhunter education is currently not required to purchase a bowhunting license from the State of Alabama.  However, a hunter safety class is required in Alabama if you were born after August 1, 1977.

About This Bowhunter Safety Course

Alabama accepts this independent study method which is a two-part process:

1. This online course, completed on your own time and your own schedule, followed by,
2. A "practical" session of testing and instruction led by Alabama certified Bowhunter Education (IBEP) volunteer instructors in the field. During the practical, which takes a minimum of four hours, all students must demonstrate that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to gain certification. To determine locations and dates of practical sessions as well as contact information, visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources bowhunter education web page.

Part 1: Bowhunter Education Home Study Steps

1. Study the Today’s Bowhunter material in each chapter and then complete the chapter review questions. There is no minimum age to be tested and certified with this online course. However, students under 14 may have a higher failure rate and are better served by attending a class where they receive instruction from certified instructors.
2. Take one or more Practice Tests—free of charge.
3. Then if you wish to qualify for admittance to a practical, take the Qualifier Exam. There is a $20.00 charge for taking the online exam, collected whether you pass or fail. A score of 80% is required for passing this exam.
4. Upon passing the Qualifier Exam, you can print out your official Alabama Bowhunter Practical Qualifier Certificate. You will have 365 days from the time you successfully complete the online portion to enroll and complete the practical portion of the curriculum.
5. To determine locations and dates of practical sessions as well as contact information, visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources bowhunter education web page.
6. For further information, contact email Johnny Gottler (Alabama Chairman, National Bowhunter Education Foundation) or phone him at 251-986-8347.

Part 2: At the "Practical"

1. At the start of the practical, students must present to their instructor a hard copy of their Bowhunter Practical Qualifier Certificate as evidence they have completed the online course.
2. During the practical, students will have to pass a comprehensive written examination (with a miminim score of 85%) on the knowledge obtained from the online course.
3. Students must successfully participate in practical testing and the demonstration of bow and arrow safety and hunting skills under the supervision of a certified instructor to complete the certification process. This normally occurs outside, in actual hunting type areas, and students should dress accordingly. Check with the instructors to see if they want you to bring bowhunting equipment to use during the field day.

Begin the online bowhunter safety course.	Or, click here to first test your bowhunting safety knowledge.	Take the Alabama Qualifier Exam!