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.
If you are an adult 17 years or older, HunterSafetyUSA can help you get certified for out-of-state hunts.
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.
- A 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.
Alternatively, if you are an adult 17 years or older, HunterSafetyUSA can help you obtain certification for out-of-state hunts. We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person or field day requirements are required for our course.
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
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.