New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded all new hunters planning to go turkey hunting this spring must first complete a mandatory hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Hunter Education courses are being offered throughout the state during April, but space is limited and classes fill quickly, so hunters are encouraged not to delay in registering for a course.
"Hunting and trapping are proud traditions in New York State that continue to be safely enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors each year," said DEC Commissioner Seggos. "Our state is fortunate to have the volunteer instructors who help educate safe, ethical hunters through DEC's Sportsman Education Program, and I encourage all future hunters to sign up soon for one of the upcoming courses."
DEC works closely with thousands of dedicated DEC-certified instructors statewide to provide these training courses free of charge. DEC's online registration system makes it easy to view a list of all available courses with the student's proximity to course locations. Students can register from any device - smartphone, tablet, or computer - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To locate a nearby hunter education course, visit DEC's website or contact a local DEC office for assistance.
All hunter education courses require students to complete homework prior to attending the classroom and field session. Proof of the completed homework is required to attend the course. Students should register for the course well in advance of the course date to allow time to complete the homework requirement, which takes approximately three hours. All courses require successful completion of an in-person field day to earn certification for the course.
Access to the homework materials and online homework options can be found on DEC's website or follow the guidelines listed in the various course announcements when registering for a particular course. Course manuals and homework sheets are always available from DEC wildlife offices and hunter education instructors.
