Austin County residents interested in hunting this fall will have an opportunity to earn their Hunter Education certification during a classroom course hosted by the Bellville Police Department on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.
The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bellville Police Department Conference Room, located at 162 N. Chesley St. in Bellville. The class will be taught by Texas Game Warden Mike Novak, a certified Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunter Education instructor.
The one-day classroom course is open to Austin County residents only, with space limited to the first 30 registered participants. Students must be at least 9 years old to receive certification.
The registration fee is $15, payable in cash upon arrival. Participants should also plan to bring their own lunch, as lunch will not be provided. A 45-minute lunch break is scheduled during the day.
The course is designed for beginning and young hunters and covers the fundamentals of firearm safety, hunting ethics, outdoor responsibility and wildlife conservation. Students must attend the entire course and score at least 75% on the written exam to successfully complete the certification.
Upon successful completion, students will receive temporary proof of certification and may legally hunt with a valid Texas hunting license. Permanent certification can later be downloaded and printed through the participant’s Texas Parks and Wildlife account.
Who Needs Hunter Education?
Texas law requires every hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 to complete Hunter Education before hunting in Texas unless they qualify for a temporary deferral.
Requirements include:
- Under age 9: May hunt only when accompanied by a qualified adult but cannot receive certification.
- Ages 9-16: Must complete Hunter Education or hunt while accompanied.
- Age 17 and older: Must complete Hunter Education or purchase a one-time Hunter Education Deferral and hunt while accompanied.
For hunting purposes, “accompanied” means being with someone who is at least 17 years old, licensed to hunt in Texas, has completed Hunter Education (or is exempt because they were born before Sept. 2, 1971), and remains within normal voice control.
Certification Lasts a Lifetime
Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is recognized by every state and Canadian province that requires hunter education. While proof of certification is not required to purchase a hunting license, hunters must carry proof of certification or a valid deferral while hunting.
Acceptable proof includes:
- Printed Hunter Education certificate
- Texas hunting license showing the Hunter Education number
- Texas Parks and Wildlife mobile app
- Photo of the certification card
Replacement certificates may be downloaded through the Texas Parks and Wildlife website or displayed using the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app.
Military and Law Enforcement Exemptions
Certain individuals are exempt from Texas Hunter Education requirements, including:
- Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Honorably discharged veterans
- Current or former members of the Texas National Guard or Texas State Guard
- Current or former qualifying Texas peace officers
However, these exemptions may not apply on certain federal properties or private lands where landowners establish their own requirements.
Registration Information
The Bellville course is a traditional classroom course and is one of several Hunter Education options offered by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Online-only certification is available only for individuals 17 years of age and older, while younger students must complete an approved classroom or field course.
Interested participants should register as soon as possible, as enrollment is limited to 30 students.
For questions about the course, contact Game Warden Mike Novak at 254-784-5883. General Hunter Education questions may be directed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunter Education Program at 512-389-4999.
