• Mentored Hunts


    Overview

    One of the greatest hurdles to newly certified hunters going afield is the lack of experienced hunters to learn from. Mentored hunts and sponsored pheasant hunts provide an opportunity for novice hunters to gain hands-on, in the field experience under the supervision and assistance of more experienced individuals.

    Show additional information

    Mentored and sponsored pheasant hunts are facilitated mostly by non-DEC entities. DEC’s main role is to provide pheasants for the hunts and to increase awareness, facilitate registration, and improve accessibility of mentored hunts to a broader audience. Requirement – participants must have successfully completed a hunter education course and purchased a New York State hunting license prior to registering for a mentored hunt.
    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/
  • New York Safe Boating Course


    Overview

    This 8 hour course is an introduction to the basic principles of safe and responsible boating. Students successfully completing this course earn a safe boating certificate. Must be at least 10 years old to participate.

    Show additional information

    To help ensure New York’s waterways remain safe and enjoyable, this course teaches basic boating skills and encourages common sense and courtesy to all who share the water. Topics covered include rules of the nautical road, required safety equipment, special boating related activities and many more.
    Managed And Approved By:

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation

    https://parks.ny.gov/
  • New York Snowmobile Safety Course


    Overview

    New York State is a leader in snowmobile education and offers one operator training course for snowmobilers of all ages beginning at age 10. This course provides fundamental information which all snowmobilers should possess in order to ensure the safety of riders and other trail users. Successful completion of this course results in the award of a NYS Snowmobile Safety Certificate.

    Managed And Approved By:

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation

    https://parks.ny.gov/
  • Hunter Education Course


    Overview

    Hunter Education is required for all hunting licenses, including bowhunting. This course covers firearms safety, hunting techniques and responsible, ethical hunting practices.

    NOTE All courses require the completion of homework prior to attending the course. If you do not complete the homework you cannot complete the course.

    Show additional information

    IMPORTANT MINIMUM AGE FOR COURSE: 11 YEARS (Minimum age for a license is 12 years).

    Some students, such as those under the age of 12, those with civil or criminal firearms restrictions, or those barred from possessing a firearm, may not be able to handle and shoot live firearms during a hunter education course. If this includes you, please notify an instructor when you arrive for your course

    REQUIREMENT ALL STUDENTS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE MUST bring a Permission Slip (PDF) (54 KB) signed by a parent or legal guardian. You can find more information on the Hunter Education course here.

    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/
  • Bowhunter Education Course


    Overview

    Bowhunter Education is required to hunt ONLY deer and bear with bow and arrow. It is recommended for all other game. This course covers safety techniques and responsible, ethical hunting practices when pursuing game with a bow.

    NOTE All courses require the completion of homework prior to attending the course. If you do not complete the homework you cannot complete the course.

    Show additional information

    IMPORTANT MINIMUM AGE FOR COURSE: 11 YEARS (Minimum age for a license is 12 years).

    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/
  • Trapper Education Course


    Overview

    Trapper Education is required for all new trappers. This course covers how to trap responsibly and selectively and how to handle pelts to produce marketable furs.

    NOTE All courses require the completion of homework prior to attending the course. If you do not complete the homework you cannot complete the course.

    Show additional information

    IMPORTANT There is no minimum age for this course.

    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/
  • Waterfowl Hunter Education Course


    Overview

    Waterfowl Hunter Education is required for access to special hunting areas. This course covers waterfowl id on the wing, laws/regulations, safety and ethics specific to waterfowl hunting. This is a challenging waterfowl id course.

    NOTE All courses require the completion of homework prior to attending the course. If you do not complete the homework you cannot complete the course.

    Show additional information

    IMPORTANT There is no minimum age for this course.

    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/
  • New York Next Step


    Overview

    Next Step courses are for those who have completed a hunter education, bowhunter education, or trapper education certification course and want more instruction and hands-on experience in shooting and trapping. These 4-hour courses are taught by certified DEC instructors. There is no certification offered with these courses. Please NOTE: You must be certified in the discipline of the Next Step Course you wish to attend. Certificate number is required for registration.

    Show additional information

    Next Step courses are for those who have completed a hunter education, bowhunter education, or trapper education certification course and want more instruction and hands-on experience in shooting and trapping. These 4-hour courses are taught by certified DEC instructors. There is no certification offered with these courses. ?Please NOTE: You must be certified in the discipline of the Next Step Course you wish to attend. Certificate number is required for registration.
    Managed And Approved By:

    New York Department of Environmental Conservation

    http://www.dec.ny.gov/