Apply now for big-game and turkey draw hunts! The bear and turkey application deadline is Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. The deadline to apply for all other big-game hunts is March 22 at 5 p.m. Make sure you complete all mandatory harvest reporting requirements to avoid late fees and rejection of applications.
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To become a licensed hunter in New Hampshire, you must complete a Hunter Education course. Hunter Education is required for new hunters to purchase their first hunting or archery license. Classes are open to New Hampshire residents and non-residents age 12 and older.
Hunter Education covers safe firearms handling, archery equipment, wildlife management principles, map and compass skills, New Hampshire game laws, and more. NH Fish and Game offers two types of Hunter Education courses:
If you cannot attend a Hunter Education course in time for the current hunting season, consider an apprentice hunting license. The apprentice license is a one-time purchase opportunity that allows you to hunt with a fully licensed hunter age 18 or older -- giving you the opportunity to try hunting, even if you have not taken Hunter Education yet. The apprentice license will expire on December 31 of the current year.
Today's hunters are going into the field knowing how to hunt safely, responsibly and ethically. Coupled with the voluntary use of hunter orange clothing, Hunter Education has dramatically helped to reduce the number of hunting-related firearms incidents in the field.
Hunter Education emphasizes safe gun handling, hunter responsibilities, ethics, and knowledge of firearms and ammunition. Students participate in a live fire exercise; learn about wildlife identification, conservation and wildlife management. In addition, Conservation Officers provide expert advice on New Hampshire hunting rules and regulations as part of the class. The course culminates in a written examination and practical field exam in which students demonstrate their new knowledge and skills to earn certification. Bowhunter education is incorporated and covers the core concepts of ethics, wildlife conservation, identification and management, rules and regulations, bowhunting safety, archery equipment, tree-stand safety and proper shot placement. Students must also pass a written test to earn certification.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Hunter Education Program staff are not in the office every day. For prompt service, email us (hunter@dec.ny.gov). Please do not call and leave a voicemail if you have access to email; this will help prevent delays in service.
The NY Hunter Education course (Hunter Safety course) is required to purchase a hunting license in New York. The course covers the necessary safety techniques and responsibilities that a hunter must know when using a gun, muzzleloader, crossbow or bow to pursue wild game.
You can complete all the requirements to earn a NYS hunter education certificate online. Any New York State resident age 11 or older can take the online course. If you successfully complete the course, and pass the final exam, you will receive your NYS hunter education certificate.
1.) Standard hunter education course - Read, listen, and watch. You can read the course material or have it read to you. A number of engaging videos help you learn safe hunting practices. The cost of the course is $24.95 and can be found at hunter-ed website (leaves DEC website).
A two day hands-on program (PDF) for the purpose of introducing 12-16 year olds to the basic principles of conservation, hunter education and general outdoorsmanship. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive their Hunter Education Training Certificate. This program is available each spring. The 2023 program will take place on April 15 and 16, 2023. Applications must be received by Wednesday, April 5 at 5 p.m. To apply for the program, complete the Application for Youth Conservation Program (PDF).
The NYS Bowhunter Education course is required for hunters who use a bow and arrow to hunt deer or bear. While this course is not required for hunting deer with a crossbow, or for using a bow and arrow to hunt small game or turkey, DEC encourages you to take this course to learn bow and tree stand safety techniques.
Register for a Bowhunter Education Course (leaves DEC website). You must attend the entire in-person instruction portion of the course on the date(s) and at the location indicated on the course schedule listing.
The Today's Bowhunter Manual and Bowhunter Education Homework Worksheet can be pickedup at most DEC Wildlife offices or may be available for pick up at other locations asspecified in the instructions given when you register for a course.
Students must complete required homework, attend all sessions of the course, demonstrate proper attitude and safety, and pass a final exam of 40 questions. After successful completion of the course, students will receive a Bowhunter Education Certificate of Qualification, which is required in addition to a hunting license or hunter education certificate for purchasing a first-time bowhunting privilege in New York State.
You can complete all the requirements to earn a NYS bowhunter education certificate online. Any New York State resident age 11 or older can take the online course. If you successfully complete the course, and pass the final exam, you will receive your NYS bowhunter education certificate. The cost of the course is $30.00. The course can be found on the bowhunter-ed website (leaves DEC website).
The Hunter Education Program teaches future hunters and trappers how to be safe, responsible, and ethical. After successful completion of a hunter education course or a trapper education course, students will receive a certificate of qualification necessary for purchasing a first-time hunting or trapping license. Bowhunter education and waterfowl hunter education courses are also available.
All in-person courses are free and taught by DEC-certified instructors. Although primarily offered for first-time hunters or trappers, anyone is welcome to attend a Hunter Education Program course, whether it is for a refresher, you have an interest in the topic, or you took the online course and want hands-on experience.
Bowhunter Education - Required in addition to the Hunter Education course (above) when using a bow and arrow to pursue deer and bear only (not crossbow). If bowhunting for other wild game, this course is not required but recommended.
Certificate Requirements in Other States and Countries: To verify whether a New York State Hunter Education Certificate is accepted elsewhere, visit the International Hunter Education Association (leaves DEC website) to find certificate restrictions and requirements in all other states and countries. Many states and countries will require you to show your hunter education certificate and will not accept your hunting or trapping license as proof of a certificate.
Due to COVID, staff are not in the office every day. For fastest service, email us (hunter@dec.ny.gov). If you do not have email, call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 (1-888-486-8332). Please supply your name, date of birth, type of course you took (hunter education, bowhunter education, trapper education, waterfowl hunter education), and when and where you took the course. Certificates dated earlier than 1980 cannot be found or replaced. If you need a certificate and yours cannot be found, you will need to retake the course.
All other hunters are not required by law to wear fluorescent orange while hunting in New York. However, DEC highly recommends ALL hunters wear a fluorescent orange hat, vest and/or coat while hunting small game or big game.
Hunter orange, also known as fluorescent orange or blaze orange, should be worn to make a hunter more visible and prevent other hunters from mistaking them for an animal, or shooting in their direction.
Hunters who wear hunter orange are seven times less likely to be shot. For example, during the past ten years, not one person who was wearing hunter orange was mistaken for game and killed in New York. On the contrary, big game hunters who were involved in firearm-related incidents were not wearing hunter orange.
In 2020, DEC investigated 13 tree stand incidents. One of the incidents was fatal. All 13 incidents involved a hunter who was not wearing a harness or the harness was not attached to the stand or the tree at the time of their fall. The proper use of tree stands, full-body harnesses, and lifelines will help to prevent these injuries and fatalities.
Hunting is a physical sport. Every hunting season is marred by hunters who suffer heart attacks and strokes. Walking while carrying gear, spotting, and shooting at a deer and dragging a carcass can cause more stress than the heart can handle. That's especially true if you are not physically active, smoke, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or other health problems. It is a good idea to start building up your endurance before hunting season. But you don't have to train like a marathon runner. Any activity that gets you moving around, even if it's just 30 minutes each day, can start strengthening your heart and lungs so you can have a safe hunting season.
Seven of the nine HRSIs that occurred last year were two-party firearm incidents, and two were self-inflicted. All nine hunters were experienced. All of the incidents could have been prevented if hunting safety rules had been followed.
There were ten elevated hunting incidents (EHIs) reported in 2021, including one fatal. EHIs involve hunters who fall from tree stands or elevated platforms. Only one of the ten hunters who fell in 2021 was wearing a safety harness, however the harness was not attached to the tree when the hunter fell. 2ff7e9595c
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