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State Cert Guide

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Do I need a hunter education certificate to hunt in New York?

Yes, if you are a first-time hunter. New York law lets a license issuer sell you a hunting license only if you show a past hunting license, an affidavit of one, or a hunter education certificate. DEC says you can earn the certificate in person or online.

By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.Report a mistake

The rule, fact by fact

Who needs it
First-time hunters using firearms or archery gear for gameDEC's list covers big game, small game, turkey, waterfowl and migratory game birds.
Verified. web.archive.org (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Free option
All in-person courses are freeVolunteer instructors that DEC has certified teach them.
Same source and date as above
Online accepted
An in-person or online course earns the certificateDEC says you need that certificate to buy a first-time hunting license.
Same source and date as above
State law
No hunting license without a past license, an affidavit of one, or a certificateThis comes from New York's Environmental Conservation Law, not from DEC's course page.
Verified. www.nysenate.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Bowhunting
Bowhunter education is also required for deer and bear with a bowFor other wild game DEC recommends the bowhunter course but does not require it.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether this is your first hunting license. New York law lets a license issuer sell you one only if you show a past license, an affidavit from an issuer saying you held one, or a certificate in responsible hunting. DEC lists its course as required for first-time hunters.

  2. Step 2. Pick in person or online. Either way you finish with the certificate you need for a first-time license. DEC says all of its in-person courses are free.

  3. Step 3. For a classroom course, sign up early on DEC's HuntFishNY events page. DEC says most in-person courses are taught between March and September.

  4. Step 4. Keep your certificate safe. DEC cannot find or replace certificates dated earlier than 1980, and if yours cannot be found you would need to retake the course.

Before you pay

DEC says all of its in-person courses are free, so you don't need to pay for a classroom course.

We haven't confirmed the online course's price or whether it includes an in-person part, so read DEC's course page before you pay for any online course.

Questions

Does New York accept my hunter education certificate from another state?

Yes. DEC says New York accepts hunter education certificates from other states when you buy a New York hunting license.

Can someone between twelve and sixteen buy a hunting license alone?

No. The license issuer needs the applicant's parent or legal guardian present to consent and sign the license, and the license can't be issued by mail.

Can a course charge me for the certificate?

Mostly no. The law bars any charge for a certificate or for instruction that qualifies you for a license. It makes exceptions for certain DEC-accredited preparation, and for a one-dollar commission on a replacement certificate. DEC must also offer free courses that need no paid preparation.

What to do next

Check your situation against New York's rule first, then pick a course on DEC's Hunter Education Program page.

dec.ny.gov

Sources we read