Home
Study Option For Hunter Education Certification
For those who have not
been able to fit a traditional hunter education course into their
schedule, the Hunter Education Program now offers a Home Study option
of its basic firearms hunter education course. This is not an abbreviated
or watered-down version of the traditional course; it is simply
a different delivery system that puts the responsibility of preparation
for the written exam on you, the student.
To participate, individuals
interested in this option must be at least 15 years old before
the completion of the required Field Day. Anyone under 18 years
of age must have a parent or legal guardian complete and sign the
registration card prior to or on the Field Day.
Besides the written exam,
there is also a field exam, given on the same day. Both require
a passing score for a student to receive his/her certification of
completion of the Hunter Education Course. A score of 80% must be
achieved on the written exam, and the field exam is pass/fail.
Steps to Follow for the
Home Study Option:
Registration
To request the student materials and to sign up for the required
field day, call Lisa Collins in the Hunter Education Program at (603) 271-3212 or email hunter-ed@wildlife.nh.gov.
At this time you will need to provide the following requested information:
- Your Name
- Mailing address
- Phone Number
- Date of Birth
- Course town & date
The format you would prefer
the manual in either:
- Traditional-style book format
- Internet-based format
We
need this information so we can mail your student packet to you,
contact you in case there is a change in the required field day,
and to verify your age for eligibility, and to make sure that participants
under age 18 receive a registration card within their student packet
for a parent or legal guardian to complete and sign for returning
on the field day.
There are frequent updates to the course schedule and new courses will be posted below as they become available, check this page regularly. Each field day is limited to 25 participants and registration
is on a first come first served basis, unless otherwise indicated. The last day that registration
will be accepted for a field day is 15 days prior to the field day.
There is a $5.00 fee to attend this course, which needs to be paid
when you attend the field day.
(Click here for directions and more
about Owl Brook Hunter Education Center.)
Don't forget -- pre-registration
is required! Field Day classes will be limited in size to assure
plenty of hands on learning and interaction with instructors. If
you are unable to attend a field day that you signed up for,
please call (603) 271-3212 to cancel. Thank you.
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Getting
Ready For The Home Study Field Day
Certification: The end goal of the student
in any hunter education course, besides becoming a safe, ethical,
and responsible hunter, is receiving the certification card, which
will allow its holder to purchase his/her first hunting license.
To achieve that goal, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Pass the written exam with a minimum score
of 80%.
- Pass the field exam.
- Properly handle firearms during the entire
experience.
Preparation for the exams:
PLEASE READ COMPLETELY!
Now that you are registered
and have received your student information packet, it is your responsibility
to prepare for the written exam and the field exam. The questions
on the exam are derived not only from the manual or Internet course,
but also from ALL of the materials contained in the student information
packet. Once again, it is your responsibility to study all of these
materials prior to your attendance at the field day. Come prepared!
A score of 80% or better on the written exam must be achieved
for you to continue with the field day and to be eligible for certification.
If you score below 80%, you will not be allowed to participate in
the field day or receive certification. A re-test will NOT be given;
you must register with Concord Headquarters for a different field
day.
It is highly recommended
that prior to the field day that you visit a reputable dealer
of firearms and sporting supplies. This will enable you to see
and handle firearms of the five action types that are described
in your student manual from many different manufacturers. There
will be hands-on opportunities at the field day, but there is no
way we can provide the variety that can be found in the inventories
at these establishments. When choosing the establishment to visit,
it is important to determine that the employee you are dealing with
is familiar with the products offered. If possible, it is also good
idea to take along someone whom you know to be knowledgeable in
hunting and firearms.
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The
Field Day will start according to the indicated time posted above
The field day starts
promptly at the scheduled time posted. with a presentation by a Conservation Officer
of the laws that regulate hunting in New Hampshire. The written
exam is then given and is intended to measure the knowledge
portion of the course. A passing score of at least 80% assures us
that you have reviewed the required materials and that you are prepared
for the skills or hands-on portion of the course, the field day.
The skills and hands-on experiences listed below are what the field
day is all about; we want you to learn by doing. At the end of the
field day there is a field exam that is either pass or fail, you
must pass the field exam to receive certification. Also,
ALL instructors have the authority to fail a student for improper
firearms handling anytime during a field day! When handling any
firearm at any time, ALWAYS remember to control the muzzle.
The field exam:
The remainder of the field day will consist of hands-on experiences
in the following areas:
- Firearms handling. At this time you
will be familiarized with the operations of firearms of the five
action types, including how to determine the proper ammunition
for a specific firearm and how to load and unload each action
type. Also, you will be introduced to crossing obstacles while
carrying a firearm, the proper firearm carries, how to set up
zones of fire, and how to properly transport firearms to the field
in vehicles.
- Map & Compass
and Survival. You will be provided with hands on training
in the use of a compass, a map, and a compass and a map together.
- Live fire exercise.
You will be REQUIRED to fire at least five rounds from a .22
rifle under the supervision of the course instructors. This exercise
will help you become familiar with operating and firing a bolt-action
firearm under controlled conditions. It will also give the instructors
an opportunity to observe your firearms handling skills. The .22
rifle used will be the same bolt-action rifle introduced during
the firearms handling portion of the field day. Basic sight alignment
and proper shooting skills will be covered.
As mentioned before,
the field exam is pass or fail. It is designed around a simulated
hunt, from arriving at your favorite hunting spot, until returning
to the vehicle at the end of the day's hunt. You will be asked during
the field exam to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you
acquired through the written materials and the hands-on portions
of the course. You will be presented with shoot/don't shoot situations,
obstacles to cross, such as a fence or stone wall, situations where
"zones of fire" will need to be determined and various
other scenarios that allow you to demonstrate your understanding
of the course materials.
Sound intense? It is
meant to be, but fun too!
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What
to bring to the Field Day
Because there is not
a store or town near the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, it is
important that you bring a bag lunch to the daylong training.
One-half hour is allotted for lunch, and this does not allow enough
time to "run out" and buy a lunch.
Please dress appropriately
for the weather conditions of the field day. Large portions
of the courses will be conducted outdoors under varying weather
conditions. We will be outside in these conditions as long as life-threatening
situations (i.e. sub-zero temperatures, lightning or high winds)
are not present. Your comfort and attention level will greatly increased
if you are dressed for the weather. Your instructors will be prepared
to be outside and will expect you to be also. For example, if there
is snow on the ground, do not come to a class with only sneakers
on your feet and no coat. Time will be allotted for you to change,
if necessary.
Suggested items to
bring to the field day:
- Water bottle
- Hat and Gloves
- Sun screen and Sun
Glasses
- Appropriate Footwear
Do NOT bring the following
to the field day:
- Firearms and ammunition!
These will be provided.
- Pets
- Non-participants of
the field day (except parents/guardians of those under age 18)
Is
Home Study Right For You?
The Hunter Education home study option is not for everyone.
If you are a self-starter and can glean information through written
text and/or electronic text, then this may be a good choice for
you. On the other hand, if you process information more easily in
a classroom setting, then the traditional style course is your best
bet. Either way, you can expect to have the same amount of time
invested -- between 12 and 16 hours.
Whether you choose the
traditional or home study hunter education course, our goal is the
same -- to prepare you to be safe and responsible hunters so you
can enjoy your time afield. Good luck and happy hunting!
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