How to Become a Sportsman Education Instructor
This patch identifies instructors
The American heritage of hunting and trapping can survive only if today's outdoors people help new hunters and trappers get the right start.
Men, women, and couples are needed to teach courses in:
- Hunter Education
- Bowhunter Education
- Trapper Education
- Waterfowl Identification
Our grandchildren will be able to choose if they want to hunt or trap only if we teach new outdoor enthusiasts to:
- Respect people, wildlife, Nature
- Respect public and private property
- Practice safe and ethical behavior
- Appreciate man as a part of Nature
- Support conservation efforts
- Be examples of responsible hunting and trapping
DEC's Sportsman Education Instructors must be:
- 18 years or older, with at least three years of experience in one or more of the four fields:
-hunting, bowhunting, trapping and waterfowl ID. - Of good character, respected in the community
- Good communicators, especially with young people
To become an instructor:
- Fill out a DEC instructor application (PDF) (115 kB)to be trained and certified to teach one or more of the four courses. For an application, call toll-free 1-888-HUNT-ED2
Your commitment involves:
- Completing the instructor training and apprenticeship
- Teaching at least one course per year
- Attending a refresher course every two years
