Firearms Safety Certification for Youth
Requirements
- 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.
- Spring classes - February - June
- Fall classes - July - October
- Check the currently scheduled classes
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
HunterCourse.com 
The on-line course is a new program. It provides basic information for those interested in learning more about hunting, as well as a study guide for the 12-hour classroom course. Field day activities are limited. Before choosing this option, register for a field day by checking currently scheduled classes below.
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
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