Advanced Hunting Clinics

March 7, 2024

Question: Does CDFW offer hunting instruction that goes beyond the basic certification level?

Answer: CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) program offers in-person clinics and virtual webinars that increase a hunter’s skill set. Since the reduction of COVID-19 restrictions, CDFW has been able to increase the number of clinics, which offer information on the type of firearm to use, ammunition, tracking, field dressing, shoot-don’t shoot scenarios, conservation and safety. CDFW aims to increase the number of in-person clinics scheduled throughout the state.

Clinics are offered throughout the state and nearly every month of the year. The classes are meant to focus on the techniques of hunting, as opposed to covering just the basics of safe and ethical hunting.

“Don’t let the word ‘advanced’ fool you. You do not have to be advanced to attend these clinics or webinars,” said CDFW Hunter Education Administrator Captain Shawn Olague. “The program is geared toward giving participants the knowledge and confidence to pursue  activities they are interested in. You will leave an event with a newfound understanding that will help you be more successful in the field.”

Traditionally the most popular clinics cover wild pig, turkey and waterfowl hunting. Other topics include hunting backcountry big game, avoiding wilderness emergencies, hunting with air guns and even the art of sausage-making. The full 2024 list of topics, dates and locations is found at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/california/162-advanced-hunter-education/page:1 .

View past Advanced Hunter Education webinars via the recordings that are placed on the CDFW YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-PEXRYYBP1T6WBqMIvaG8AabH3lfDsNl ). The videos can also be found on the Advanced Hunting Clinics home page at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education/Advanced.