How to get a hunting licence in B.C.
How to get a hunting license in BC: the CORE hunter education exams, your Fish and Wildlife ID and WILD credentials, buying the hunting licence and species licences online or in person, fees and the rules for youth and new hunters. Sources: gov.bc.ca and the BC Wildlife Federation.
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- Checked October 17, 2026
A B.C. hunting licence is the last step of a short chain. You pass CORE, the province's hunter safety program, set up a free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in the WILD system, add your identity, residency and hunting credentials to it, and then buy the hunting licence and any species licences for the game you hunt. Youth and first-time adult hunters have supervised options that skip CORE for a while.
This guide sets out each step in order, with the fees the province and the BC Wildlife Federation publish, what to bring, how long things take and the mistakes that hold new hunters up. Every fact links to the gov.bc.ca or BCWF page it comes from. To prepare for the CORE written exam, use the practice questions and mock exam linked below.
Step by step
Choose how to prepare for CORE
CORE (Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education) is B.C.'s official hunter safety training. The BC Wildlife Federation offers three ways to get ready: an in-person course with a certified CORE examiner, its online CORE course of 47 remote lessons, or self-study with the CORE manual and the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis. The exams themselves are always taken with a certified examiner.
Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)Pass the CORE written exam
The written exam has 80 multiple-choice questions based on the CORE manual and the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis, and you need at least 60 points to pass. The examiner gives you the result on the spot. A failed exam must be retaken on a different day, and each attempt costs $30, paid to the examiner.
Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)Pass the practical firearms handling exam, or show your CFSC report
The practical exam checks that you can safely handle two of five types of firearm actions, including identifying, loading and unloading dummy ammunition; you need 23 out of 30, and the examiner provides the firearms. If you passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, give the examiner the completed CFSC report form and you skip this exam. A PAL card does not exempt you.
Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)Send for your CORE graduation certificate
When you have passed both exams, the examiner gives you a document of completion. Mail it to the BC Wildlife Federation with the $30 administration fee and the BCWF mails you your graduation certificate, which is your proof of hunter safety training.
Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)Create your Fish and Wildlife ID
An FWID is a free, permanent number linked to your profile in WILD, the province's online hunting and fishing licensing system. Create it by logging in to WILD with a Basic BCeID or a BC Services Card Account, or at a FrontCounter BC office, a Service BC office or a participating vendor. Your legal name must appear on the profile. If you held an old B.C. Resident Hunter Number, your FWID already exists.
Source: Government of B.C. — Fish and Wildlife IDAdd your identity, residency and hunting credentials
On your FWID profile, prove your identity, select your residency credential and submit your hunter safety document to get a hunting credential. You can apply online in WILD, where review can take up to 3 business days, or in person at FrontCounter BC, Service BC or a vendor, where an approved credential is active immediately. Logging in with a BC Services Card Account verifies identity and B.C. residency automatically if you are eligible.
Source: Government of B.C. — WILD credentialsBuy your hunting licence
Buy it online through WILD, or in person at a FrontCounter BC office, a Service BC office or a licence vendor. B.C. hunting licences are electronic and linked to your FWID profile; printing a copy is optional. A B.C. resident hunting licence is $25 plus a $7 Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation surcharge, before 5% GST.
Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licencesAdd species licences for big game
Hunting deer, elk, moose, black bear, cougar, mountain goat, mountain sheep and several other species also needs a species licence. Species licences are printed on waterproof, tearproof paper: bought online they are mailed to you within Canada, and bought in person you get them immediately. You cannot buy them online and pick them up at a counter.
Source: Government of B.C. — Species licences
Who can get it
- At least 10 years old, with a valid Fish and Wildlife ID, and not suspended or prohibited from holding a licence under the Wildlife Act. No one under 10 may hunt in B.C. Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences
- For a B.C. resident licence, a B.C. resident credential: a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in B.C. for at least 6 of the last 12 months, or anyone else who has lived in B.C. for at least the past 12 months. Some military members, students and minors qualify through a residency exemption. Source: Government of B.C. — WILD credentials
- A hunting credential, which needs one of: a CORE certificate, a confirmation letter from the BC Wildlife Federation or the Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch, or a document from another province, territory or country showing you completed hunter safety training. Documents not in English or French need a notarized translation. Source: Government of B.C. — Acceptable documents for WILD credentials
- Hunters aged 10 to 17 can hunt on a youth licence without hunter safety training, bought by a parent or guardian, but must always hunt with a qualified supervising hunter, and their harvest counts in the supervisor's bag limit. Source: Government of B.C. — Youth hunting in B.C.
- Adults 18 or older who have never held a B.C. hunting licence (other than a youth licence) can buy a one-time initiation licence for one year without CORE, but only to hunt under a supervising hunter; they cannot buy species licences or enter Limited Entry Hunting. Source: Government of B.C. — Initiation licence
- Non-residents need proof of hunter safety training for an unrestricted licence, and even then must hunt big game with a guide outfitter, assistant guide or permit-to-accompany holder. Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| CORE written exam, each attempt (paid to the examiner) | $30 | Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026) |
| CORE practical firearms handling exam, each attempt (paid to the examiner) | $30 | Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026) |
| CORE graduation certificate, administration fee to the BCWF | $30 | Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026) |
| In-person CORE course | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) | Free | Source: Government of B.C. — Fish and Wildlife ID |
| B.C. resident hunting licence | $25 plus $7 HCTF surcharge, before 5% GST ($6 plus $1 at age 65 or older) | Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences (licence fees) |
| Youth hunting licence / initiation licence | $6 plus $1 HCTF surcharge / $15 plus $4 HCTF surcharge, before GST | Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences (licence fees) |
| Resident species licences, for example mule deer / moose / black bear | $12 plus $3 / $20 plus $5 / $16 plus $4 HCTF surcharge, before GST | Source: Government of B.C. — Species licences (licence fees) |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
CORE exams are given in person by BCWF-certified CORE examiners across the province, listed on the BC Wildlife Federation's examiner list; email core@bcwf.bc.ca for help finding one. Your FWID, credentials and licences are then handled online in WILD or at a FrontCounter BC office, a Service BC office or a licence vendor. Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)
What to bring or have ready
- To the CORE exams: the registration form your examiner gives you, kept and shown each time until you have passed both exams, and your completed CFSC report form if you are claiming the exemption from the practical exam. Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)
- For your credentials: one proof of identity (for people 16 or older, a photo document such as a B.C. driver's licence, BC Services Card, passport or PAL), B.C. residency documents and your CORE certificate or other hunter safety document. Source: Government of B.C. — Acceptable documents for WILD credentials
- In the field: photo ID and your FWID number, which a conservation officer can ask for to check your licences on their device. Source: Government of B.C. — Fish and Wildlife ID
- Also in the field: all of your current-year species licences, on the paper they were issued on. Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences
After you pass
The examiner gives you a document of completion once both exams are passed. Send it with the $30 administration fee to the BCWF for your graduation certificate, use the certificate to get your FWID and hunting credential, and you can then buy hunting licences and enter the Limited Entry Hunting draw. Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)
Validity and renewal
Your FWID is a permanent number, but B.C. resident credentials expire every 3 years; you can update yours in WILD once it has expired or is within 6 months of expiring. If it expires while you are in the field, you can show B.C. identification to confirm residency and update the credential as soon as possible. Source: Government of B.C. — WILD credentials
Common mistakes
- Showing a PAL card to skip the practical exam. Only the completed Canadian Firearms Safety Course report form exempts you; the PAL card itself is not accepted. Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)
- Assuming the hunting licence covers your firearm. The synopsis is explicit that a B.C. hunting licence does not give authority to carry a firearm; that is a separate federal firearms licence. Source: B.C. Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis 2026–2028 (Federal Firearms Legislation)
- Buying species licences online a few days before the hunt. They come by Canada Post on standard delivery times and cannot be picked up at a counter instead; if you plan to hunt within the next few days, buy them in person. Source: Government of B.C. — Species licences
- Booking a retake for the same day. A failed CORE exam must be retaken on a different day, and each attempt is another $30. Source: BC Wildlife Federation — CORE program (archived copy, July 2026)
- Setting up the FWID under a nickname. Your legal name must appear on the profile, and later name changes need supporting documents. Source: Government of B.C. — Fish and Wildlife ID
- Expecting a refund for the wrong licence. Licences are generally non-refundable and non-transferable, and no refund is given if you bought the wrong one or did not use it. Source: Government of B.C. — Hunting licences
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- BC CORE practice tests135 original practice questions with explanations
- BC CORE practice test (printable PDF)50 BC CORE practice questions on hunting regulations, firearm safety, ethics and wildlife ID, with a separate answer key. Print or save as PDF. Free.
- BC CORE study guideFree BC CORE study guide: 156 key points from the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis 2026–2028 (Province of British Columbia) in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- BC CORE Mock Exam 1 – 80 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- BC CORE exam simulator80 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get a hunting licence in B.C.: common questions
How much does a hunting licence cost in B.C.?
A B.C. resident hunting licence is $25 plus a $7 Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation surcharge, before 5% GST. Species licences for big game cost extra, for example $12 plus $3 for mule deer and $20 plus $5 for moose. Seniors 65 or older pay $6 plus $1 for the hunting licence.
Can I get my B.C. hunting licence online?
Mostly. You can create your FWID, apply for credentials and buy hunting and species licences online in WILD. The CORE exams themselves are given by certified CORE examiners, and species licences bought online arrive by mail.
How old do you have to be to hunt in B.C.?
At least 10. Hunters from 10 to 17 can hold a youth licence or, with hunter safety training, a resident licence, but must always hunt with a supervising hunter who is 18 or older.
Can I hunt in B.C. without CORE?
Only under supervision. Youth licence holders and adults on the one-time initiation licence do not need CORE, but they must hunt with a qualified supervising hunter. To hunt on your own you need a hunting credential, which usually means CORE.
I took hunter education in another province. Do I need CORE?
A document issued by another Canadian province or territory, or another country, showing you completed hunter safety training is accepted for the hunting credential. Documents in a language other than English or French need a notarized translation.
How long does it take to get credentials after CORE?
Credential applications made online in WILD can take up to 3 business days to review. Applications made in person at FrontCounter BC, Service BC or a vendor are active immediately if approved.
Keep practising
- BC CORE practice test (printable PDF)50 BC CORE practice questions on hunting regulations, firearm safety, ethics and wildlife ID, with a separate answer key. Print or save as PDF. Free.
- BC CORE study guide
- BC CORE Mock Exam 1 – 80 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- BC CORE Practice Test 127 questions with explanations
- BC CORE Practice Test 227 questions with explanations
- BC CORE Practice Test 327 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- CORE, FWID and hunting licencesThe CORE program, the Fish and Wildlife ID, licence types, youth and initiation hunters and supervision, carrying and cancelling species licences, LEH and federal firearms licensing.
- Firearm safety in the fieldBasic safe handling rules, what counts as a loaded firearm, muzzleloaders, firearms and crossbows in vehicles, clean shots and identifying your target.
- Storing and transporting firearmsFederal rules for storing, transporting and displaying non-restricted firearms, ammunition, unattended vehicles, the meaning of unloaded and firearms in National Parks.
- Where you may hunt and shootNo hunting and no shooting areas, distances from dwellings and roads, parks and reserves, recreation sites, Indian reserves, the Trespass Act and landowner consent.
- Legal hunting methodsVehicles, boats, aircraft and drones, hunting hours, legal weapons and ammunition, shotgun plugs, archery minimums, dogs and baiting.
- Ethics and conservationHunter ethics, landowner relations, reporting poachers to RAPP, protected young animals, raptors, feeding wildlife, accidental kills, retrieving wounded game and wildlife health.
- Wildlife identificationTelling mule deer from white-tailed deer and grizzly from black bear, plus antler, horn and age definitions used in B.C. seasons.
- Migratory and upland game birdsFederal permits, hunting hours, the lead shot ban, shotgun rules, baited areas, daily and possession limits and transporting birds.
- After the huntCancelled licences, evidence of sex and species, antler-restricted seasons, edible portions, accidental kills, compulsory inspection, mandatory reports and imported cervid parts.
- Definitions and bag limitsWhat hunting, big game, small game and wildlife mean, the licence year, B.C. residency, bag limit notation, deer limits and illegal guiding.