How to Get Your 2025 Hunter Education Course NY in 3 Easy Steps
The state of New York requires all hunters ages 12 and older to pass a hunter safety course (like Hunter-ed).
Hunter education teaches valuable safety essentials for hunters to apply in the field, including wearing blaze orange for visibility, safe firearm handling, what to do in emergencies (and how to prevent them), and understanding the hunting laws for the state.
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take the hunter education course NY requires and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in New York?
All hunters 12 years or older must complete a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in New York.
You must have this certification to purchase a hunting license. The state offers two options to get certified.
1. In-Person Hunter Education
Hunters can take an in-person course offered free and taught by DEC-certified (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) instructors.
These courses teach hunters how to be safe, ethical, and responsible in the field. Each class starts around 8:30-9:00 a.m. and runs through 4:00-4:30 p.m., so plan for a full day commitment.
The NYSDEC recommends not waiting until too close to the start of the hunting season to schedule and take your in-person course. Classes fill up quickly, so plan your timing wisely to sign up for an available course and complete it ahead of the hunting season, with plenty of time to get your hunting license before your hunt.
Note: You must complete the homework before attending your class.
2. Take the Online Course
The most convenient way to meet the state's hunter education requirements is to take the online course through Hunter-Ed. The state has approved the online course, and it meets the requirements for your hunter safety certification.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 New York Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your NY hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters 12 years of age and older must complete a hunter education course before hunting in New York.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). There is no in-person requirement.
Hunters can also take an in-person course offered through the NYSDEC. - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, active duty military or veteran, junior hunter, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the DEC Automated Licensing Systems (DECALS) or from an approved license agent (bait and tackle shops, Wal-Mart stores, city offices, and other designated locations). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Always carry your license when hunting. You can either carry a printed/paper copy or save your license digitally to view on your phone.
Additionally, if tags or permits are required for the animal you plan to hunt, don't forget those when you pack your gear and head out into the field.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the New York Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Our course:
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Is available in Spanish.
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and NYSDEC.
- Includes animations, videos, illustrations, games, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. You must score at least 80% on the quizzes to pass.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a tablet, phone or computer.
- Saves your progress! Work at your own pace, starting and stopping as needed to fit your schedule.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the final exam.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Hunter-Ed delivers everything you need to meet the state of New York's requirements for hunter education, plus a lifetime of ongoing support and educational opportunities to help you become a better hunter.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the online course and final exam through Hunter-Ed, you can print your hunter education certificate.
Remember: Your card is an important document! Always carry it when you hunt as proof that you completed the hunter education course NY requires. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask you to show your hunting license and safety certification.
What If I Lose My Card?
Don't worry! You can request a new one through the ilostmycard website.
Step 3: Where to Get Your State of NY Hunting License in 2025
Your New York 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 New York state hunting license isn't valid for the current or upcoming hunting seasons. 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 can be especially convenient if you don't live close to an in-person agent location or you plan to hunt in New York as a resident of another state
Buy from a License Issue Agent Location
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the state of New York offers plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses.
Use the DECALS website to find a location near you. In general, many tackle shots, Wal-Mart stores, and other locations offer hunting licenses in New York.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting (for new hunters and seasoned hunters). What you learn in one of these courses can save lives.
Hunter safety courses make sure new hunters know the laws they’re expected to follow before they get a license or head into the field. By covering safe firearm handling and responsible behavior, these classes also play a big role in preventing accidents.
Hunter education courses also teach hands-on skills (like navigation, first aid, and basic survival) and encourage respect for landowners, other hunters, and wildlife.
Above all, hunter education supports ethical, sustainable hunting practices that help protect game populations for the long term.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Without taking a course that's specific to the state you plan to hunt, you could miss critical information about hunting in that specific state.
For example, taking a Texas hunter safety course could leave you without valuable information you need to hunt in New York. State-specific information can include important regulations that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
So, before you assume a course from another state prepares you for hunting in any state, take a few hours to complete the Hunter-Ed hunter safety course for New York and get certified from home!
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
When you choose Hunter-Ed, you get more.
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know and meets your state's requirements, but you get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive, free offering from the team at Hunter-Ed.
As soon as you purchase your course, you will have full access to:
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: Within your student dashboard, you have access to learn about the hunting regs for your state each year.
- Blog and Video Content: Curated blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Hunting Tools: Hunter-tested resources (like free app subscriptions to HuntWise and more) to help you hunt more confidently and successfully.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Additional discounted course options to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include gear discounts to help you gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money) and contests to win free stuff.
These Perks never expire. You'll always have access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through your lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in New York with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the New York hunter safety course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about taking the New York hunter education course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in New York?
Yes, you need hunter education in New York to hunt legally if you are at least 12 years old.
Q: Can you take the New York Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the New York hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. The State of New York has approved Hunter-Ed as an online course that you can complete to meet the requirements.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for your hunter safety course sooner rather than later! We recommend signing up and completing your course at least a few weeks before the season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify every season. The hunter education course NY requires covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in New York after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is good for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $39.95. This cost includes the course, study guide, unlimited attempts to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in fines or other penalties. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
