Hunter Education Program
Hunter and Trapper Safety and Responsibility
IMPORTANT COVID-19 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.
New - Online Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education Courses
An ONLINE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE is now available.
An ONLINE BOWHUNTER EDUCATION COURSE is now available.
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. Contact us if you need assistance replacing a lost certificate.
Course Details
Choose a course below to review course content, requirements, study materials, and to find a course.
All in-person courses are free and taught by DEC-certified instructors. Online courses charge a fee. 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 or an interest in the topic.
*New, in-person courses are added throughout the year, however most of the courses are taught between March and September.
*Do not wait until just before the hunting season to take a course. In-person courses fill quickly, so it is important to sign up early.
Hunter Education - Required for first-time hunters using firearms or archery equipment to pursue big game, small game, turkey, waterfowl, and migratory game birds.
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.
Trapper Education - Required for first-time trappers pursuing furbearers.
Waterfowl Hunter Education - Required to gain access to select State and Federal lands (Wildlife Refuges) open to waterfowl hunting.
Crossbow Hunting Qualification - Required for hunters using a crossbow to pursue big game, small game, turkey, or unprotected species.
Instructor Information
Current and prospective instructors can get all of the information they need by visiting the Teaching Hunter Education page.
Replace a Lost 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.
Other State Certificates
New York State accepts Hunter Education Certificates from other states when purchasing a New York hunting license.
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.
Contact Us
Contact a Hunter Education Office near you.
Pistol Permit
Generally, a hunter education course does not qualify you to obtain a pistol permit in New York State. Please check with your county clerk's office or county sheriff's office for more information regarding pistol permits.
Program Funding
New York State's Hunter Education Program is funded by the purchase of sporting licenses through the New York State Conservation Fund and purchases of firearms, ammunitions, and archery equipment. through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Fund (leaves DEC website).
Equal Opportunity
Courses are available to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240.
More about Hunter Education Program:
- Hunter Education Course - Required for first-time hunters using firearm or archery equipment to pursue big game, small game, turkey, waterfowl and migratory game birds.
- Bowhunter Education - Required in addition to the Hunter Education course when using a bow and arrow to pursue deer and bear only. If bowhunting for other wild game, this course is not required but recommended.
- Trapper Education - Required for first-time trappers pursuing furbearers or small game.
- Waterfowl Hunter Education - Required to gain access to select State Parks and National Wildlife Refuges open to waterfowl hunting.
- Crossbow Hunting Qualification - Required online training for all hunters that intend to hunt with a crossbow.
- Teaching Hunter Education - Information for current and prospective Sportsman Education instructors.
- Contact a Hunter Education Office - List of contact numbers for DEC's Regional Sportsman Education Offices.
- Hunter Safety Basics - Information on safe use of firearms, tree stand safety tips, benefits of wearing hunter orange, and fitness and health information for hunters.
- Hunter Safety Statistics - This page is designed to keep the public updated on any Hunter Education Program news.
