Welcome to NH Hunter Education!
It's no accident that hunting is a safe activity. Today's hunters are better educated than ever before. They're going into the field knowing how to hunt safely, responsibly and ethically ... a knowledge provided by the NH Hunter Education Program.
The New Hampshire Hunter Education Program -- coupled with the voluntary use of hunter orange clothing -- has dramatically helped to reduce the number of hunting-related firearms incidents in the field.
By state law, anyone planning to buy a basic hunting license, archery or trapping license must complete the respective hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education course. Individuals may purchase these licenses by showing a certificate of completion from the appropriate course, or a previously issued license of the same type. One word of caution: Don't wait until hunting season to take a course; it'll be too late! Courses run from late winter through October, but fill up quickly in the fall months and close out quickly.
What would you like to know?
How do I sign up for a Hunter Education course?
There are two ways to take Hunter Education in New Hampshire:
What kinds of courses are available?
- Hunter Education (traditional) Click here to see the current Hunter Ed course schedule
The traditional classroom hunter education course is scheduled by the Chief instructor, and takes place over several weekdays, and usually involves one weekend. The course material is taught in a classroom setting, with the field portions, live fire and practical exam occurring at a fish and game, shooting or outing club. To successfully complete the course, you must attend all classes, score at least an 80% on the written exam, and pass the practical skills test (pass/fail). Please Note: A New Hampshire hunter education course will NOT qualify students for a Massachusetts FID.
- Hunter Education (online) Click here to take the online Hunter Ed course (will launch new window). You must be at least 15 years or older to get your certification online. Online Hunter Ed has two parts; please note that you must successfully complete both the online exam AND the Field Day to achieve certification:
CURRENTLY ALL FIELD DAYS ARE FULL. CLICK THE FIELD SCHEDULE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
1. First, take the online hunter education course at www.Hunter-Ed.com/nh using your home computer, or any computer with access to the Internet. The course is self-paced; complete each chapter at your own speed, over several days or weeks. When you've completed the course, you will take a final exam online.
2. After you pass the online exam, print out your certificate of completion, and call Lisa Collins at the Hunter Education Office at 603-271-3214 to register for a Field Day.
You may not register for a field day until after you pass the online course.
The Field Day includes hands-on instruction in gun handling, map and compass skills, live fire and a law presentation by a Conservation Officer. Click here to see current the Field Day schedule and registration deadlines. ALL FIELD DAYS FOR 2009 ARE CURRENTLY FULL.
- Bowhunter Education (traditional) Click here to see current the Bowhunter Ed course schedule
Important differences between hunting with a firearm and hunting with archery equipment make education vital to the future of bowhunting. This classroom-based course emphasizes safety, ethics and responsibility. Students discuss safety and ethical situations unique to bowhunting, and learn how archery techniques can differ from those used with firearms. Other topics in the 8 to 12-hour course include archery equipment, game anatomy, shot placement, tree stand safety, game recovery and more. Several of these topics are taught outdoors as well. Students must pass the written exam with a score of 80% or higher. There is no field test or shooting component to a bowhunter education course. Students register with the Chief instructor; see schedule for info.
- Trapper Education (traditional) Click here to see the current Trapper Ed course schedule
The trapper education course teaches participants how to responsibly trap furbearing animals and provides a foundation of knowledge upon which to build, for example, trapper education is required for those who intend to become licensed Wildlife Control Officers. Topics in the 8 to 12-hour include proper trapping equipment and use, responsible trap-setting, the importance of good wildlife management practices, and habits and traits of furbearers. Taught in a classroom as well as outside, students can register for a trapper education course with the Chief instructor; see schedule for info. Students must pass the written exam with a score of 80% or higher.
What does it cost?
- Traditional course: Instructors may charge $5 per student to cover the use of facilities and minor expenses.
- Online course: Each student must pay a $15 fee to take the New Hampshire Field Day Qualifier Exam.
What are the age requirements for Hunter Education?
To receive a certificate of completion in a traditional hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education course, you must be at least 12 years old by the completion of the course. To take the online hunter education course, students must be at least 15 years of age, or older. Youth hunters should try to complete a
hunter education course sometime between the age of 12 and their 16th birthday.
What will I learn in Hunter Education?
Fish and Game's Hunter Education Course is more than a "gun safety" class. The mandatory course consists of classroom instruction, field experiences and firing on a shooting range. Each course is taught by trained, certified volunteer instructors and the local conservation officer. The course covers the following topics:
- Firearms identification, safety and handling
- Hunter ethics and responsibility
- Outdoor safety and survival skills
- Introduction to specialty hunting (archery, crossbow and muzzleloader)
- Wildlife identification and management
- Game recovery and care
- NH hunting laws
Students in the "traditional" Hunter Ed course are provided with a course manual, wildlife ID guide, outdoor survival information and additional handouts. Courses involve lecture, demonstrations, small group activities, a live fire experience, written exam and practical field test. The average course length is 16 hours. The online course involves a self-paced program of study, accessible from any computer with web access; an online exam; and a Field Day - see description below.
Provisions will be made for people with reading difficulties and/or physical disabilities.
What if my Certification Card is lost or destroyed?
If you have previously passed a New Hampshire Hunter, Bowhunter or Trapper Education course, every effort will be made to issue a replacement card. In cases where we have no record of you taking the course, we cannot issue a replacement and the course will have to be taken again. If you have taken the course in another state, you need to contact that state for a duplicate. We do not fax copies of cards. Please provide the following information:
- Full name (and middle initial if applicable)
- Present mailing address
- Date of birth
- Daytime phone number
Click here for a printable request form to send to the Hunter Education Office. There is a $2.00 fee for this service.
How do I contact the Hunter Education office?
The Hunter Education office is housed at 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, New Hampshire, in Building #2. As you enter the parking lot, at the STOP sign, turn right into the small parking lot. The office door is the first on the right, below the Hunter Education and Aquatic Education sign. The phone number is (603) 271-3214.
How can I become a Hunter Education instructor?
The Hunter Education Program is always looking for those outdoor enthusiasts and educational professionals who would like to volunteer their time as a certified instructor. While previous hunting knowledge and experience is certainly helpful, all it takes is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. The instructor certification course encourages effective teaching techniques in a team-teaching environment, subject matter basics, and best-way-methods. To become a certified instructor, you must:
- Have completed the basic course as a student (hunter, bowhunter or trapper education)
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no misdemeanor or felony convictions, or Fish and Game violations, within 7 years
- Submit an applicable instructor application (hunter, bowhunter or trapper education)
- Successfully complete an instructor training course, with final exam
Instructors enjoy professional discounts at many sporting goods stores and gun shops, and are recognized and rewarded for their efforts at an annual recognition banquet.
-- Click
here to learn about becoming a volunteer Hunter Education Instructor.
-- Click here for the current Hunter
Ed Instructor Training and Workshop Schedule
The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act makes hunter education in New Hampshire possible. Excise taxes
are collected from the sales of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. These funds are distributed to state agencies to conduct research, manage wildlife populations, protect habitat and conduct hunter education programs. Volunteer hunter education instructor time (hours) is used as "match" funding, enabling Fish and Game to receive federal funds to cover the costs of coordinating the Hunter Education Program. So the next time you buy a gun, ammunition or archery equipment, remember you're helping to fund wildlife management and hunter education. Educating safe, ethical and responsible hunters wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is without the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.
