About the IHEA

The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) – USA is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state fish and hunter education programs. The programs employ 45,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, that teach hunting and shooting safety and responsibilities throughout the United States.

Hunter Education courses train and certify more than 500,000 students annually. Since 1949, nearly 40 million students have completed hunter education courses that cover firearm safety, bowhunting, wildlife management, field care of game, responsible hunting, landowner relations, wildlife identification, and much more.

Hunting is a safe activity, and, because of hunter education, it is even safer! Over the last 50 years hunting related injury rates have decreased dramatically, even as populations of deer, wild turkey, elk, geese, and other species of game have risen to record numbers.

Hunters have raised billions of dollars for wildlife conservation in North America and championed the cause of wildlife restoration programs for many generations. Today, hunters continue to be the most effective political voice supporting legislation to protect wild things and wild places for future generations. Sign up for a hunter education course today and join the ranks of conservation and wildlife management OR donate your time by becoming an instructor to help others find their new passion in the outdoors!