New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

February 25, 2002

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is now offering its mandatory hunter education class as a modified home-study, video-based course, with one-day testing and field sessions conducted at centralized teaching locations throughout the state.

"We realized that hunter education course scheduling as it was conducted in the past was often difficult for individuals to fit into their hectic schedules," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "In response to today's busy lifestyles, we have developed a program that is more easily accessible while at the same time prepares and places a more advanced hunter in the field. Today more than ever, being a hunter in New Jersey means being able to meet the serious responsibilities and challenges posed by hunting in a densely populated State. Our Hunter Education Program prepares our hunters to meet those responsibilities and challenges."

"The Division is extremely proud that its Hunter Education Program continues to be recognized as one of the top programs in the nation," added Division Hunter Education Administrator Paul Ritter. "We are committed to developing and refining this program to ensure the safety and well-being of our hunters, the general public and the entire future of hunting in New Jersey."

Division Hunter Education Unit staff have developed a videotape, manual and workbook series designed to cover shotgun, muzzleloading/modern rifle and bow and arrow courses. The video contains information previously provided in the traditional courses while adding new hunting scenarios designed to test a student's split-second decision-making ability.

Videotapes and workbooks will be available beginning the week of March 4 at license agents and Division field offices. Materials are also available through the mail by sending a large self-addressed envelope stamped with $3.95 in postage (do not send cash or checks) to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Hunter Education Home Study Program, 220 Blue Anchor Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081. The first field session will be March 16 at the Division's Northern Region Office in Hampton, Hunterdon County. A schedule of testing facilities and field session dates for the entire State from March through June is available at these locations and on the Division's web page at www.njfishandwildlife.com/hunted.htm.

Home study will allow students to learn the classroom material at their own pace in their own home. Students are also able to select the location and date of their choice for the required one-day field course and testing for archery, shotgun, rifle/muzzleloader or all three disciplines if they are prepared to do so. During the field session, each student is placed with an instructor to complete an extensive field walk and mandatory live-fire session. A review of the home study material and homework will be offered before the day concludes with a mandatory written exam.

For those interested in becoming an instructor with the new program, applications can be downloaded from the Division's website or obtained by calling 877-2HUNT-NJ.