Many people are preparing for the fall hunting seasons in Missouri and may be looking for opportunities to hone their skills.

If taking hunting training is one of the things you need to do to take advantage of gun hunting opportunities this year, the Missouri Department of Conservation has several options.

Persons born on or after January 1, 1967, who hunt in Missouri during a firearms season or who act as an adult mentor to another hunter must have a Hunting Training Certificate, unless they are. exempt. MDC offers two hunter education options: a fully online format and a blended format.

The fully online format can be completed by residents of Missouri aged 16 and over. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider (not MDC). The all online option requires passing a final exam, but does not include any skills part.

The mixed format has two parts. The knowledge section provides information to participants on all aspects of hunting education and can be completed online, via a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants are also required to complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills part is a practical demonstration of the skills acquired by the participants. Participants must complete and pass both parts to achieve certification.

The exemptions to the Missouri hunter training requirements are:

• Hunters born before January 1, 1967.

• Hunters 15 years or younger who will hunt with an adult mentor 18 years or older certified in hunting training.

• Disabled hunters exempt from the MDC.

• Hunters 16 years of age or older who have purchased a learner hunter authorization and will hunt with a duly licensed adult mentor 18 years of age or older who has a Hunting Education Certificate.

• Hunters who are landowners hunting on their own land.

• Hunters who can prove that they have completed an approved hunting training course in another state.

For information on other skill sessions or to learn more about the Missouri Hunter Education Program, visit mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.