How to Find a Course Courses in your area may be listed in:
* statewide list of classes
* the "outdoors" section of your local newspaper
* Orange County stores that sell hunting supplies
* Orange County rod and gun clubs
* town clerk offices and other sporting license sales outlets.For more information and class schedules, call or write your Regional Sportsman Education Office or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2. The Orange County coordinator is Rich Shannon, 782-7818. (Tell him where you got the phone number.)
All new hunters, bowhunters and trappers must pass the appropriate course before getting their first license. Students must attend all sessions, demonstrate proper attitude and safety, and pass the test. A hunter education course is required for all new hunters applying for a license. To hunt big game with bow and arrow, a special bowhunting course is required in addition to the basic hunter ed course. A trapping course is required for all new trappers. For most people, a license is required, even to hunt woodchucks and other "varmints" with no closed seasons. Consult hunting regulations for season areas and dates.
Sign up for courses early. There are very few courses offered during the most popular hunting seasons, such as the May wild turkey season and the November big game seasons. If there is no class listed for your county, check surrounding counties, call the DEC Regional Sportsman Education Office for assistance or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2. All courses are free.