South Dakota Bowhunting Safety and Bowhunter Education Course

The Today's Bowhunter course is the official online bowhunter education course of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

About This Bowhunter Education Course

South Dakota accepts an independent study method that involves a two-part process:

1. This online course, completed on your own time and your own schedule, followed by,
2. Field Day instruction and skills evaluation led by certified bowhunter education volunteer instructors. To learn about your Field Day and skills evaluation class options, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department's Bowhunter Education Web page.

Begin your bowhunter education certification by studying at home on your computer. Upon successful completion of the online bowhunter education course (which is confirmed by taking an exam online) you will be issued a Field Day Qualifier Certificate. This Field Day Qualifier Certificate is necessary to obtain entrance into the final portion of your bowhunter education course, which takes place with a certified instructor in the field. After completing the Field Day portion, you will then receive your official proof of course completion.

• By state rule, you must be at least 12 years old to complete the course.
• Completion of the online requirement is only a portion of the required curriculum. You must attend a Field Day and complete any remaining course requirements at that time. You will have 365 days from the time you successfully complete the online portion to enroll and complete the Field Day portion of the curriculum.
• At the present time, Field Day options are limited, so please ensure that a Field Day is offered in your area before taking the online exam. For information about Field Day options, go to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Bowhunter Education Web page.

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

Online Bowhunter Education Home Study Steps

1. Study the Today’s Bowhunter material in each chapter and then complete the chapter review questions. Re-study any material you may have answered incorrectly.
2. When you have studied all eight chapters, take the Practice Test as many times as you like—free of charge—to ensure you've mastered the course material. A different set of questions is presented each time you take the Practice Test.
3. Then if you wish to become eligible for admittance to a Field Day, take the Field Day Qualifier Exam. There is a $20.00 charge for taking the online exam, which is collected whether you pass or fail. A score of 80% is required for passing the exam.
4. Upon passing the Field Day Qualifier Exam, you can print out your official NBEF Field Day Qualifier Certificate. To learn about your Field Day and skills evaluation class options, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Bowhunter Education Web page.