Bowhunter Education

This course is required for learning the necessary safety techniques and responsibilities when using a bow and arrow to pursue deer and bear.
While this course is not required for small game or turkey, DEC encourages you to take this course to learn general bow and tree stand safety techniques.
Additional Requirements:
Hunter Education is required in addition to this course to obtain a bowhunting privilege. It doesn't matter which course is taken first.

General Course Details and Requirements
Course Topics Covered
•Aspects that make bowhunting challenging
•Becoming a more successful bowhunter
•Tree stand safety
•Archery techniques
•Hunter ethics
•Hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners and the general public

Age Restriction/Requirement
Students must be 11 years or older to take this course (Note: In New York State the minimum age to hunt is 12-years old).

Course Length
Minimum of 8 hours.
Bowhunter Education Certificate
Students must attend all sessions of the course, demonstrate proper attitude and safety, and pass a final exam of 40 questions. After successful completion of the course, students will receive a Bowhunter Education Certificate of Qualification, which is required in addition to a hunting license or hunter education certificate for purchasing a first-time bowhunting privilege in New York State.