Firearms Safety Certification for Youth

youth shooting practiceRequirements

  • To be eligible to receive your Firearms Safety Certification, you must be 11 years of age or older.
  • DNR Firearms Certification is required of anyone born after December 31, 1979 to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota. Check requirements in other states.
  • Apprentice hunter validation.

Three basic rules of firearms handling

  • Treat each firearms as if it is loaded
  • Always control the muzzle of your firearm
  • Be sure of your target and what is beyond

When and where are firearms safety classes offered?

Classes are added to the DNR website as the information becomes available. Check back often.

What happens in the classes?

  • The firearm safety class consists of a minimum of 12 hours of classroom and field experience in the safe handling of firearms and hunter responsibility.
  • The field experience allows students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and the handling of firearms. It includes live fire on a rifle range.

Cost

A fee of up to $7.50 may be collected by the instructor at the class for any costs they incur to conduct the class. The DNR course fee is $7.50, payable on-line after successful completion of course requirements.

On-Line Option

Adults (18 and older) –  click here

Youth ages 11 – 17 - The on-line course is a new program. It provides basic information for youth interested in learning more about hunting, as well as a study guide for the 12-hour classroom course. Field days are limited. Before choosing this option, see availability for a field day by checking currently scheduled classes below. HunterCourse.com

General information

  • Duplicate firearms certificates are available through any DNR License Agent or by calling toll free 1-888-646-6367 or local 651-296-6157.
  • For more information about the program, call toll free 800-366-8917

Find (and sort) more courses on the DNR Safety Training Calendar!

Calendar of firearms classes

Click on the course name for details.

view a printable version

06/08/13

Palisade (HunterCourse)

Aitkin County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

06/08/13

Grand Rapids (HunterCourse) - Course is FULL

Itasca County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day - Course is FULL

06/08/13

Walker (HunterCourse)

Cass County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

06/08/13

Bloomington

Hennepin County

Adult Firearm Safety Field Day (18 years and older)

06/09/13

Maple Plain**FORKHORN I CAMP**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class **CAMP**

06/09/13

Hackensack **FORKHORN CAMP**

Cass County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/10/13

St. Paul - CLASS IS FULL

Ramsey County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL

06/10/13

New Ulm

Brown County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/11/13

Prior Lake **CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Scott County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/11/13

St. Michael

Wright County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/11/13

Eden Prairie

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/14/13

Anoka County Fairgrounds

Anoka County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/15/13

Aitkin (HunterCourse)

Aitkin County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

06/16/13

Spicer **FORKHORN I CAMP**

Kandiyohi County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/16/13

Britt **FORKHORN I CAMP**

St. Louis County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/16/13

Hackensack **FORKHORN CAMP**

Cass County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/17/13

Maple Plain **Pheasant Camp**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class **DAY CAMP**

06/17/13

Almelund

Chisago County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/18/13

Inver Grove Heights

Dakota County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/19/13

Rogers**CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST** NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

06/21/13

Britt **CAMP** (HunterCourse)

St. Louis County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

06/28/13

Easton(HunterCourse) - Course is Full

Rice County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day - CLASS IS FULL

06/30/13

Burnsville (Hunter Course)

Dakota County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

07/07/13

Palisade**FORKHORN I CAMP**

Aitkin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/08/13

Fergus Falls

Otter Tail County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/08/13

Maple Plain **Turkey Camp**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class**DAY CAMP**

07/08/13

Dent

Otter Tail County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/08/13

Winthrop

Sibley County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/08/13

St. Joseph

Stearns County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/12/13

New Ulm

Brown County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/12/13

South St. Paul

Dakota County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/12/13

Madison Lake

Blue Earth County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/13/13

Minneapolis

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/14/13

Maple Plain **FORKHORN I CAMP**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class **CAMP**

07/15/13

Lewiston

Winona County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/15/13

Lewiston

Winona County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/15/13

Hinckley

Pine County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/15/13

Graceville

Big Stone County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/15/13

LaSalle

Watonwan County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/15/13

Millville

Wabasha County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/20/13

Watson(HunterCourse)

Chippewa County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

07/20/13

Aitkin (HunterCourse)

Aitkin County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

07/21/13

Britt **FORKHORN I CAMP**

St. Louis County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/21/13

Palisade**FORKHORN I CAMP**

Aitkin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/21/13

Hackensack **FORKHORN CAMP**

Cass County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/21/13

Lanesboro

Fillmore County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/22/13

Maple Plain **Waterfowl Camp**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class **DAY CAMP**

07/22/13

Richfield

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/23/13

Chanhassen

Carver County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/24/13

Rogers**CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/28/13

Palisade**FORKHORN I CAMP**

Aitkin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

07/29/13

Maple Plain **Pheasant Camp**CLASS IS FULL**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class **DAY CAMP**

08/02/13

New Ulm

Brown County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/03/13

Crookston (HunterCourse)

Polk County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

08/04/13

Britt **FORKHORN I CAMP**

St. Louis County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/04/13

Hackensack **FORKHORN CAMP**

Cass County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/05/13

Annandale

Wright County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/05/13

Edina - Class is full **Call for Waiting List**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL (WAITING LIST)

08/05/13

St. Charles

Winona County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/05/13

Barnum

Carlton County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/06/13

Edina - Class is full **Call for Waiting List**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL (WAITING LIST)

08/08/13

Rockford

Wright County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/10/13

Alborn

St. Louis County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/11/13

Britt **FORKHORN I CAMP**

St. Louis County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/12/13

Prior Lake

Scott County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/13/13

Dassel

Meeker County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/14/13

Albert Lea

Freeborn County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/14/13

Rogers**CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/17/13

Grand Rapids - CLASS IS FULL

Itasca County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL

08/19/13

Northfield

Rice County

Firearm Safety Training Class

08/24/13

Annandale (Huntercourse)**CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Wright County

Youth & Adult Firearm Safety Field Day (11 years and older)

08/26/13

Crookston

Polk County

Firearm Safety Training Class

09/03/13

Arden Hills - CLASS IS FULL

Ramsey County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL

09/03/13

Rice

Benton County

Firearm Safety Training Class

09/07/13

Nisswa/Lakeshore (HunterCourse) - Course is FULL

Cass County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day - CLASS IS FULL

09/07/13

Nisswa/Lakeshore (HunterCourse) - Class is FULL

Crow Wing County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day - CLASS IS FULL

09/07/13

Blaine (HunterCourse)

Anoka County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

09/07/13

Tracy (HunterCourse)

Lyon County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

09/07/13

Pine City

Pine County

Firearm Safety Training Class

09/08/13

Forest Lake (HunterCouse)**CLASS IS FULL**NO WAITING LIST**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

Anoka County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

09/09/13

Thief River Falls

Pennington County

Firearm Safety Training Class

09/28/13

Rogers

Hennepin County

Firearm Safety Training Class

10/01/13

Arden Hills

Ramsey County

Firearm Safety Training Class

10/04/13

Blaine

Anoka County

Firearm Safety Training Class

10/05/13

Thief River Falls (HunterCourse)

Pennington County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

10/05/13

Nisswa/Lakeshore (HunterCourse)

Cass County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

10/05/13

Nisswa/Lakeshore (HunterCourse)

Crow Wing County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

10/05/13

Thief River Falls (HunterCourse)

Pennington County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

10/06/13

New Ulm (HunterCourse)

Brown County

Youth Firearm Safety-On-Line Field Day

10/15/13

Dassel

Meeker County

Firearm Safety Training Class

10/17/13

Grand Rapids - CLASS IS FULL

Itasca County

Firearm Safety Training Class - CLASS IS FULL