How to Get Your 2025 CT Hunter Education Course in 3 Easy Steps
Hunting in Connecticut is a long-standing tradition that combines outdoor recreation, wildlife management, and cultural heritage. Hunters have a variety of opportunities to pursue deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game. Despite being one of the more urbanized states in New England, Connecticut maintains a strong connection to its rural roots through hunting seasons.
With the hunt in the state's rural areas comes the critical responsibility of practicing hunter safety, including understanding the state's hunting laws, like proper firearm handling, wearing blaze orange for visibility, and more.
In Connecticut, you need hunter safety education if you are hunting for the first time, you don't currently have a hunting license, or you do not have a hunting license issued from another state or province within the last two years.
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your CT hunter education course and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Connecticut?
Again, all first-time hunters must complete a hunter safety course to get a hunter education card and hunt legally in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) offers two options to get certified.
1. Take a Multi-Day In-Person Class (Firearms)
Hunters can opt for this traditional option. It's a two-day class, including classroom instruction and field exercises.
Plan for two full days of instruction, but you can also choose smaller sessions that take place over more than two days to fit your schedule. Just know that you must attend all sessions to complete the course.
Students must be at least 10 years old to take the class. All students 18 years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The course is 16 hours long and includes:
- Hunter education in a classroom setting
- Field exercises
- A 50-question multiple-choice exam
If you choose this option, make sure you schedule and complete the course and exam ahead of the hunting season. Classes can fill up quickly.
2. Choose a Self-Study Firearms Class (Online and In-Person Field Day)
This option allows students to complete the hunter education part of the class at home through an online course provider, followed by an in-person field day. The field day runs approximately 8 hours and includes classroom instruction and field exercises.
Choose from the approved options for the online course, then schedule your field day offered by the State of Connecticut.
After completing both the online course and the Field Day, you'll receive your permanent hunter education certification.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 Connecticut Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Connecticut hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Again, if you are a first-time hunter or have not held a CT hunting license or a license from another state or province within the last two years, you must complete a Connecticut-approved hunter safety course before purchasing your license. - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need for hunting or trapping. Connecticut offers firearms hunting, archery deer/small game, junior, age 65+, hunting and fishing combo licenses, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the DEEP (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection) website, from approved retailers, and select DEEP offices. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Always carry your license when hunting. If you also need tags (for deer, turkey, etc.), make sure you have those with you, too.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the CT Hunter Education Course
For the Self-Study hunter education option, choose an online course approved by the state.
Use the Connecticut hunter safety course study guide from Hunter-Ed as a resources to learn more about hunter safety.
If you prefer the all-in-person course option, be sure to schedule and complete all sessions of the course.
Step 2: Take a Field Day Session and Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course, finish your certification by taking the required in-person field day through one of the state's available options.
Just make sure you complete the course and all sessions before hunting season begins! Once you've completed the course and passed the final exam, you'll receive your certification.
Your Card is Your Proof of Certification
Remember: Your hunter education card is proof that you completed the course and exam and understand how to hunt safely in Connecticut. Treat it like you do other important documents.
Always carry your hunter education card when you hunt as proof that you completed the CT hunter education course. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask to see your hunting license and safety certification, and you must have them readily available.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Connecticut Hunting License in 2025
Your Connecticut hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year. Last year's CT hunting license isn't valid this year. As you plan what you want to hunt this year, make sure you research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally this season.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This option can be especially convenient if you don't live close to a retailer or you plan to hunt in Connecticut as a non-resident.
Buy from Select DEEP Offices
Not all DEEP offices are open for license sales. Choose from the list of available offices, including:
| DEEP Offices for License Sales | |
| DEEP License and Revenue (in Hartford) | Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm (except holidays) |
| Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods WMA (Burlington) | Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm (except holidays) |
| Wildlife Division's Franklin Swamp WMA (in North Franklin) | Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm (except holidays) |
| DEEP Western District Headquarters (Watertown at Black Rock State Park) | Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm (except holidays) |
| EEP Eastern District Headquarters (in Marlborough) | Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–3:30 pm (except holidays) |
| Marine District Headquarters (in Old Lyme) | Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm (closed from 12:30 pm–1:00 pm) |
Buy from a Retailer
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, but a DEEP location isn't convenient, the state of Connecticut offers plenty of retail locations offering 2025 hunting licenses.
Use this resource to find a retailer near you. In general, most town clerk offices, Dick's Sporting Goods stores, Wal-Mart stores, and other locations like bait and tackle offer hunting licenses in Connecticut.
Why is Hunter Education Important?
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting. Whether you're a new hunter or a seasoned hunter, you must be a student of the sport and committed to safety.
Hunter education does the following:
Ensures Safe and Lawful Hunting: In nearly every state, including Connecticut, hunters are required to complete a certified hunter education course before obtaining a license. This requirement helps guarantee that participants understand and comply with all state hunting laws and regulations.
Develops Skilled, Informed Hunters: Hunter education programs teach essential skills such as firearm safety, navigation, first aid, tree stand safety, and survival techniques. They also highlight the importance of respect for other hunters, private landowners, and the environment.
Prevents Accidents and Injuries: By focusing on safe firearm handling, careful shooting practices, and responsible behavior in the field, hunter safety courses significantly reduce hunting-related accidents and injuries.
Promotes Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Hunter education fosters integrity and responsibility among hunters. It emphasizes ethical behavior, respect for wildlife, and adherence to regulations that ensure healthy game populations for future generations.
To be a better hunter, start with hunter education to build your skills, strategies, and safety best practices.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Some states accept hunter safety certifications from other states. It's known as "reciprocity."
However, if you haven't taken a course that's specific to the state you plan to hunt (for example, taking the Connecticut hunter safety course for hunting in Connecticut), you could miss critical information about hunting in that specific state.
In other words, a course specific to another state (like Texas) may not adequately prepare you for hunting in Connecticut.
So, before you trust another course from another state or assume that "one course works in any state," make sure you choose a Connecticut-specific course (approved by the state), finish with the Field Day, and get certified!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Connecticut
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the CT hunter education course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Use the Free Connecticut Hunter Education Course Study Guide!
Hunting in another state? Take the Hunter-Ed course for that state.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to your questions about taking the Connecticut hunter safety course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Connecticut?
Yes! If you are hunting for the first time or have not had a hunting license in Connecticut or another state or province within the last two years, you must complete a Hunter Education course to hunt legally in Connecticut.
Q: Can you take the CT Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, but this only partially meets the state's hunter education requirement. As part of the self-study certification option, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection allows students to take an online course in conjunction with a required Field Day.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
We recommend signing up and completing your course a few weeks before the season begins. Make sure you account for the time you'll need to take the online course and the Field Day to complete the state's requirements.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No! Your CT hunter education course is the only certification you'll need to hunt in Connecticut. Your certification is good for life!
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the state's required hunter education certification can result in fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
Use the Free Connecticut Hunter Education Course Study Guide!
Hunting in another state? Take the Hunter-Ed course for that state.
