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Youth Camps
Overview
Pennsylvania Game Commission Outreach offers various Youth Camps throughout the year. At these camps youth will have the opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation and develop different outdoor skillsets.
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Boating Education
Overview
The PA Fish and Boat Commission and its partners provide opportunities to earn your boating safety education certification and learn more about boating safely in Pennsylvania by taking a boating safety course.
Basic Boating Course
This certification course is a great way for the first-time boater or seasoned boater to learn all the basic boating regulations and requirements. This classroom course has a certification exam at the end. Participants 11 years of age and older with an interest in learning the basics of boating and earning a boating safety education certificate are welcome to attend. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Boating & Water Safety Awareness Course
This certification course can be a fun and interactive way for the first-time boater or seasoned boater to learn basic boating regulations and requirements along with in-water activities relating to lifejackets and self-rescue. Anyone, 11 years of age and older with an interest in learning the basics of boating, practicing in-water skills, and earning a boating safety education certificate is welcome.
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Paddlesports Education Course
Overview
The PA Fish and Boat Commission and its partners provide opportunities to improve your kayaking, canoeing, or standup paddleboarding skills and learn more about paddling safely in Pennsylvania.
Introduction to Paddling
Participants will learn legal requirements and how to safely enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or standup paddleboarding in Pennsylvania. Equipment is provided; participants may also bring their own equipment. This introductory event is for anyone 12 years of age and older who has never paddled. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Paddling Meet-Up
These social gatherings are for anyone interested in learning more about the basics of kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding safety. These informal events are the perfect opportunity to socialize, learn, and share paddling experiences with other paddlers. Equipment is provided; participants may also bring their own equipment. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Virtual Paddlesports
These on-line programs are conducted by PFBC staff trained in paddling safety. Sessions will be interactive and include interaction with PFBC staff and other instructors.
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Field Days
Overview
Field Days introduce participants to outdoor sports such as archery, trapping, and hunting through closely supervised hands-on activities. An adult must accompany all youth participants and can accompany more than one youth. Please ensure that your child meets the age requirements of the specific event that you are registering for as each event is different. If you are interested in hosting one of your events on this page, please contact PGCHunterEducation@pa.gov
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Hunting and Shooting Programs for Schools
Overview
The Pennsylvania Game Commission coordinates programs to teach hunting and shooting in school curriculums. Select a program for more information below or register for a training. If there are any questions pertaining to these programs, please contact PGCHunterEducation@pa.gov
National Archery in the Schools: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=828131&mode=2
Explore Bowhunting: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1594341&mode=2
Hunter-Trapper Education: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/901440/hte_pdf
Notice: Registration information collected by Event Manager is used solely to register participants through the host organization, such as The National Rifle Association, The National Wild Turkey Federation or the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Registration information will not be provided to third party organizations without advance participant consent.
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Public Hunting and Shooting Programs
Overview
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and its partners coordinate programs to teach hunting and shooting sports for the public. Visit the link below for more information below or register for a session. If there are any questions pertaining to these programs, please contact PGCHunterEducation@pa.gov
Public Hunting and Shooting Programs: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/go_hunting_and_shooting/21047
Notice: Registration information collected by Event Manager is used solely to register participants through the host organization, such as The National Rifle Association, The National Wild Turkey Federation or the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Registration information will not be provided to third party organizations without advance participant consent.
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Special Hunts
Overview
Browse the available special hunts below. These hunts will allow you the opportunity to gain hunting experience and help build a hunting support system for you as you pursue your interests in hunting and the outdoors.
Special Hunts: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1215080&mode=2
Youth Hunt participants must be 12 years of age by the date of the hunt and have successfully completed a Hunter-Trapper Education Course. Participants 12 and 13 must be accompanied by an adult member of the family (at least 18), or by an adult serving in place of a parent.
Notice: Registration information collected by Event Manager is used solely to register participants through the host organization, such as The National Rifle Association, The National Wild Turkey Federation or the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Registration information will not be provided to third party organizations without advance participant consent.
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Hunter-Trapper Education
Overview
This is a six-hour training class required by law for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license. You must pass a certification exam at the end of the class to complete this training.
Important In order to prepare for your class, read Chapters 1, 4, 5 and 9 located at Today's Hunter & Trapper in PA.
NOTE: You must be at least 11 years of age to register for this class!
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Sport Fishing
Overview
The PA Fish and Boat Commission and its partners provide plenty of opportunities to improve your fishing skills and learn more about fishing in Pennsylvania.
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Shows and Events
Overview
Fishing shows, expos, and special events
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Cable Restraint Certification
Overview
This is a one-day certification class for any person desiring to complete the mandatory Cable Restraint Certification Program.
Details
Being certified allows for the use of cable restraint devices to trap certain furbearing animals. Certification is required by regulation for any trapper using cable restraint devices to capture foxes and coyotes in Pennsylvania.
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Instructor Training
Overview
The Fishing Skills Instructor (FSI) workshop is designed to teach adult leaders how to teach our youth basic fishing skills and aquatic ecology. Certified instructors then teach "SMART" Angler classes and Family Fishing Programs.
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Aquatic Resource Education
Overview
The Commission offers training workshops on amphibians and reptiles, fish and aquatic resources. Workshops vary from 8 to 15 hours depending on the subject and curriculum provided.
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Successful Bowhunting
Overview
Important You must pass the Successful Bowhunting Field Day to complete the requirements for Pennsylvania bowhunter education. Successful Bowhunting Field Days are approximately 8 hours in duration. You must pass a certification exam at the end of the Field Day to complete this training.
Details
To prepare for the field day, a complete study guide and a free, optional course with quizzes are available online at Bowhunter Ed.
NOTE: You must be at least 11 years of age to register for this class!
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Successful Furtaking
Overview
This is a one-day certification class for any person desiring to improve their skills and learn more about furtaking.
Details
IMPORTANT: To receive a training certificate recognized by other states or provinces, you must pass a written exam at this class!
Prior to attending this one-day class, you must complete the independent study part of this training by clicking on the below link. If you do not want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (M-F from 8:00am to 4:00pm) to request a printed version of Successful Furtaking! Student Manual. The independent study part of the training will require about 6 to 8 hours to complete.
This program also includes training on the use of cable restraint devices to trap certain furbearing animals. Certification is required by regulation for any trapper using cable restraint devices to capture foxes and coyotes in Pennsylvania.
Link to the Student Manual
Successful Furtaking! Student ManualMore Information
REMEMBER: Students should bring waders, hip boots, or other wading gear to be used during the instruction on making water sets.
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Hunter-Trapper Education Independent Study
Overview
This is the required classroom portion of an independent study program.
Details
After taking the online course, you must attend this 2-3 hour class to be tested and certified. To prepare for this class, you must study the entire course content on your own by clicking on the link below. The independent study part of your training will require about 8-10 hours to complete.
If you do not want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (M-F from 8:00am to 4:00pm) to request a printed version of Today's Hunter & Trapper in Pennsylvania. A $2.69 postage fee will apply.
Age-Related Information
NOTE: You must be at least 11 years of age to register for this class!
NOTICE TO PARENTS: Independent study is more difficult. Younger students should consider attending a traditional, instructor-led class.
Link to the Online Course
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Successful Turkey Hunting
Overview
Do you want to learn how to be a successful turkey hunter, both spring and fall? Then this advanced training class is for you! Our Successful Turkey Hunting program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to really enjoy your next turkey-hunting experience. Even before you attend a class, you’ll discover a lot about the wild turkey and turkey hunting by reviewing our online student guide. A printed copy is yours to keep at the end of the course!
Details
In our classroom, we’ll teach you the orienteering skills needed to navigate the back country in search of wary birds, plus shot selection methods to increase your success rate, enhance your hunting experience, and keep you safe. Next, you’ll learn both basic and advanced calling techniques using most of the popular call types available today. We’ll even give you a turkey call to take home after the class!
Moving outside, you’ll learn scouting methods and hunting techniques, including the effective use of decoys. Then we’ll show you how to fine-tune both your eye and your shotgun to consistently bag more birds.
Bring your 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun to the class! On our range, we’ll show you how to maximize its effectiveness. No ammunition is required – we’ll provide it. If you don’t have a shotgun, we’ve got one for you.
More Information
IMPORTANT: This is a voluntary, advanced, one-day hunter education training program. To receive a training certificate recognized by other states or provinces, you must pass an open-book, written exam at the conclusion of this class.
Prior to attending, you should complete the independent study part of this program by clicking on the link below. If you don’t want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (M-F from 8:00am to 4:00pm) to request a printed version of our Successful Turkey Hunting! Student Manual. The independent-study part of the training will take about 6 to 8 hours to complete.
Link to Student Manual
