DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers more than 200 Hunter Education courses per year and now is the time to begin finding one. Hunter education is a mandatory program that is designed to introduce students to firearms safety and several other life-long skills that are important to the many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities. Young hunters are not required to complete hunter education until their 16th birthday when they are required to purchase a hunting license. For more information on course options, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-safety"In person courses fill fast, especially in the fall. Iowa recognizes hunter education certificates issued by another state and some foreign nations.