I just purchased my two college kids lifetime super-combo licenses (surprise x-mas presents). On the license card, it has their Hunter Education (HE) number printed on the face of the card. Do they still need to have their (HE) certificate with them? Seems like the HE # on the Lifetime license should satisfy the intent of the regulation. Does anyone know for sure?

Yes it will suffice for Texas. But keep up with the card for out of state, and also sometime the tx license will not show the HE

I would say no as to carrying their certificate now that it is on their license, but call the state to make sure. 800-792-1112.

I have spoken about this with a Texas Game Warden, and for Texas, the HE # is on the license and proof that you have HE (just make sure the HE # is on it). So you are good there. But, for out of state, you WILL need to have the HE card with you.

I almost got screwed on our elk hunt in CO last year. I left my HE card at home, I didn't even think to bring it. When getting the over the counter license, the attendant was able to pull up my previous CO license from 2 years ago, and apply my HE card info to that license. She said if I had not previously come to CO and had a hunting license, I would not be able to hunt. So, keep your HE card with you for out of state.

thanks guys, appreciate the info.

Good info. THX

I took the course when I was 15. I'm 43 now and have no idea where the certificate could be. Anyone know where to obtain a replacement?

https://apps.tpwd.state.tx.us/theo/

Although if you took the course that long ago, I would think the "HE" has been printed on your license for quite some time.

TPWD order today and I bet you have it by Friday or Monday. They are actually extremely efficient. The HE replacement division is good!!!

Sorry to hi-jack, has anyone used hunter-ed.com to complete their hunter education course? If not, other online course recommendations?

Well, I submitted this exact question to TPWD... "Am I required to carry the hunter education certification card with me even though I have a lifetime license with the HE# printed on the front?" TPWD's response directly:

-------------------------------------------------------------

Yes....You will still have to carry the certification card with you while you hunt.

Thank you,

Kathy Powell
Hunter Education Team
TPWD

Interesting find. Wonder what TPWD LE has to say about this.

I've been checked for hunting license several times, and never produced my HE card. I've asked the game warden on our deer lease and he said the HE# is on the hunting license, showing you are HE compliant. If in doubt, carry it. I know I don't and it has been fine for me for multiple years through several GW checks.

Thank you, sir

My stepson used one of the online courses. I found the cheapest one I could find and the process was very smooth and the certifcate arrived very quickly.

Just went online and printed the certification myself. The process took about 2 minutes.

Thanks! Appreciate the info

I used the online course. Very easy to use

Call me a dumb dumb. I am not required to take the H E course but I took it anyway with my son and have lost my certificate. No big deal so as I am reading thru the forums I looked to see if it was on my hunting license there it is along with my HIP certification. I am thinking what is HIP, I have always been asked the questions for migratory birds but it has never been explained to me why, I assumed it was for game and management purposes which it is and I never asked. It is good to know what HIP is 6 years late. Am I the only person that missed this? I am so embarrassed.

I also went online and printed a copy, needed it for my trip to Colorado next month. Easy, quick, and FREE!

What's weird is we asked and posted the response on the THF to the same question last year. They replied you did not need the actual wallet HE certificate if the HE# is printed on your license.

Yep, I recently emailed them because my lifetime license card didn't have my HE# on it. I didn't have to have HE because of my age and I took the class voluntarily after I got my lifetime license. I had my new card with my HE# on it within a few days.

Common mistake a lot of people make is when they don't need HE for Texas, but DO need HE for other states. I just got used to carrying mine with my DL. Sorta like the commercial "Don't leave home without it"