If you never had a hunting license you must complete a NJ home study Hunter Education Course in order to purchase a license. (The Trapper Education Course is not home study.)

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Hunter Education program is presented in a home-study format. The program provides scheduling flexibility while producing hunters ready to meet the serious responsibilities required of, and accepted by, all hunters. Home study allows students to learn the "classroom" material at their own pace, at home and then attend a one day field session. The one-day field session consists of students working with instructors to complete an extensive field walk, mandatory live-fire session and concludes with a mandatory written exam.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE COURSE OR STATE PROVIDED MATERIALS. Field sessions and exams are offered at several locations throughout New Jersey every weekend (excluding holiday weekends) beginning in March through November (except July when only weekday classes are held) at at least one location. Sessions are also held on several weekdays throughout the year for added convenience.

To complete a hunter education course a person must do the following:

1. Obtain the free home study materials: Videotapes or DVDs, studyguide/workbook are available at specified vendors, Division field offices and available for download at online (links below). Students also have the option of using the alternate, fee-based HunterCourse.com site for the course(s) you are interested in. Completion of this online course and presentation of the printed voucher at the field session/exam location can be substituted for completing the workbook; students still must complete the written exam and live-fire field portion.

2. Watch the video, read and study the manual, and complete the workbook (or use the HunterCourse.com site as noted above). Completing the practice exam(s) for the course(s) is recommended, as is practicing safe handling of your firearm and/or bow. There is a proficiency requirement for bow students. This requirement entails placing at least three out of five arrows in the vital area of a 3-D deer target between 15-20 yards.

3. Check the exam/field session schedule and register online.

4. Attend the field session well prepared with completed workbook. Students arriving without a completed workbook will be turned away.

Three Basic Courses

SHOTGUN - This course is required before purchasing your first firearm hunting license. You must be at least 10 years of age.

BOW AND ARROW - This course is required before purchasing your first bow and arrow hunting license. You must be at least 10 years of age. You must be able to shoot 3 out of 5 arrows into the vital zone of a 3-D deer target (approximately 10-inch diameter) between 15 and 20 yards with your own bow or crossbow to pass this course. (Crossbow must be cocked by the student; prior arrangements can be made for those with a disabling condition.) Having adequate equipment and practice is important before coming to the field session. Students are encouraged to practice and qualify with the archery equipment type they plan to hunt with, either conventional bow, compound bow or crossbow.

RIFLE/MUZZLELOADER - You must first pass the shotgun course or have a firearm hunting license before you can take this course. This course is required to obtain a NJ Rifle Permit. You must be at least 10 years of age.

There is also TRAPPER EDUCATION - This course is required before you purchase your first trapping license. You must be at least 12 years of age. See the Trapping Information page or call 877-2-HUNT-NJ for course information when scheduled (April and September - October).

Materials, Field Sessions and Exams

Home Study Workbook (pdf, 120kb) (Required; HunterCourse.com voucher can be substituted)
NJ Hunter Education Study Guide
NJ Hunter Education Video
HunterCourse.com Course (fee applies)
Consent Form - Required for those under 18 (pdf, 9kb)
Practice Exams
Where to Get Hunter Education Materials
Field Session and Exam Information (including directions to field locations)

State Hunter Training Areas

To use any state Hunter Training Area (practice range) at least one person in a group is required to have a valid hunting license. Anyone under 13 must be under direct adult supervision.

These ranges are provided by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Hunter Education Program through federal funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov). The federal funds are derived from an excise tax collected on guns, ammunition and archery equipment.

After the Course

Upon completion of a hunter education field session and passing the written exam (and bow proficiency test if applicable) registered students are issued their course completion card. When the card is presented to a license agent those 10 to 15 years of age are issued a free Youth License. (NOTE: Youths ages 10 to 13 must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult 21 years of age or older while hunting.) Those age 16 and older are eligible to purchase the license(s) for which they have proof of their course completion.

Youth Hunting Opportunities

The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s popular Take a Kid Hunting Program is designed to provide a quality hunting experience for properly licensed youth hunters. See the Take a Kid Hunting Program page for details.

Duplicate Hunter Education Cards

If you completed a hunter education course and need a duplicate card see the Duplicate Hunter Education Certificate page.

Becoming a Hunter Education Instructor

New Jersey's Hunter Education Program relies on the dedication of trained volunteer instructors. If interested complete and fax (908-735-5689) or mail (NJ DFW - Hunter Education, 26 Rt. 173W, Hampton, NJ 08827) the application form (pdf, 18kb).

General Information

Hunter education courses are offered FREE by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The training, classroom and range rental fees, books, equipment and ammunition are funded through the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly called the Pittman-Robertson Act. This law imposes an excise tax, paid by the manufacturer, on all sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment and hand-guns. The funds are distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Anyone seeking accommodations for a physical or learning disability, or a foreign language interpreter, should contact the Hunter Education Office at 856-629-0552 or toll-free at 877-2-HUNT-NJ, or via e-mail at njhuntered@dep.state.nj.us.

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from hunter education training programs is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20240.

The Division is extremely proud that its Hunter Education program is continually recognized as one of the top programs in the country. The future of hunting in New Jersey remains rooted in hunter education.