Hunter safety is important because it has been proven to prevent accidents, promote ethical and legal hunting practices, support wildlife conservation, enhance skills and responsibility among hunters, and maintain a positive public perception, a concept often introduced in basic hunter-trapper education and reinforced through safety classes, particularly during field days.
In New Hampshire, due to state regulations and hunting laws, all first-time hunters are required to complete hunter education before purchasing a hunting license.
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 2 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in New Hampshire.
- Complete an in-person course through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Must be 12 years old by the last day of the course.
- An hybrid course through a New Hampshire Fish and Game Department exclusive partner. Online courses include remote learning with an in-person field day. Must be 12 years old to take this class.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your NH Hunting License
- Step 1: Complete a hunter safety education course
- Step 2: Print or save your temporary certificate for immediate use.
- Step 3: You can now go buy your hunting license in NH
Step 1: Hunter Safety Course for New Hampshire Hunters
Choose 1 of 2 options:
Option 1: In-Person Hunter Ed
Courses take place in-person and include the following. Must be 12 years old by the last day of the course.
- Classroom lessons with certified volunteer instructors
- Multiple-choice written exam (80% or better to pass)
- Field day assessment and practical exam
Option 2: Online Hunter Ed with Mandatory In-Person Field Day
Online courses include remote learning with an in-person field day. Must be 12 years old to take this class.
- Self-paced online course
- Chapter quizzes
- Multiple-choice written exam
- Field day assessment and practical exam (in-person required)
- $29.00 fee
Step 2: Getting your Hunter Education Certification
After completing the course you’ll receive your Hunter Education Certificate. You're now ready to purchase your first New Hampshire hunting license!
Treat your card like a driver’s license. You can either print it and store it in your wallet or keep a digital copy on your phone.
Keep it safe, as you’ll need to show proof of certification when applying for a new hunting license or if requested by a game warden from the Fish and Game Department in the field.
Step 3: Where to buy your New Hampshire Hunting License
To hunt in New Hampshire, you can buy your license either online through the licensing platform here or in person through a licensing agent, all listed on this page.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of New Hampshire:
- Kittery Trading Post – Kittery, ME Address: 301 U.S. Route 1, Kittery, ME 03904 Phone: (207) 439-2700
- Walmart Supercenter – Concord, NH Address: 344 Loudon Rd, Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 226-9312
- LL Cote Sports Center – Errol, NH Address: 7 Main St, Errol, NH 03579 Phone: (603) 482-7777
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Headquarters – Concord, NH Address: 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 271-3421
- Walmart Supercenter – Keene, NH Address: 350 Winchester St, Keene, NH 03431 Phone: (603) 357-7200
For more information, you can contact:
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Contact Information: Phone: (603) 271-3421 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/
Why is Hunter Safety Important?
Hunter safety is important for several reasons, whether you're a bowhunter or using firearms, especially if you're preparing for a field day:
- Prevents Accidents and Injuries: Proper training, including basic hunter-trapper education, in firearm handling, safe shooting practices, and hunting techniques significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental shootings and other hunting-related injuries.
- Ensures Ethical Hunting: Hunter safety education promotes responsible hunting ethics, including respect for wildlife, sustainable hunting practices, and adherence to laws and regulations.
- Protects Wildlife and Conservation Efforts: Responsible hunters understand the importance of conservation and manage wildlife populations sustainably, helping preserve biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
- Builds Responsible and Skilled Hunters: Safety courses teach proper use, storage, and transportation of firearms, along with navigation, first aid, survival skills, and respectful interactions with other hunters, bowhunters, and landowners.
- Legal Compliance: Most regions require completion of hunter safety courses to obtain a hunting license, emphasizing adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
- Enhances Public Perception: Safe and ethical hunting practices improve the public's perception of hunters, demonstrating responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Hunter safety, along with basic hunter-trapper, archery, and bowhunter education, fosters a culture of responsibility, ethical behavior, and environmental stewardship within the hunting community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the New Hampshire Hunter Safety Course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you can have a field day preparing for the hunting season and don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.