For those who have not been able to fit a traditional hunter education course into their schedule, the Hunter Education Program now offers a Home Study option of its basic firearms hunter education course. This is not an abbreviated or watered-down version of the traditional course; it is simply a different delivery system that puts the responsibility of preparation for the written exam on you, the student.

To participate, individuals interested in this option must be at least 15 years old before the completion of the required Field Day. Anyone under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian complete and sign the registration card prior to or on the Field Day.

Besides the written exam, there is also a field exam, given on the same day. Both require a passing score for a student to receive his/her certification of completion of the Hunter Education Course. A score of 80% must be achieved on the written exam, and the field exam is pass/fail.

Steps to Follow for the Home Study Option:

• Registration
• Field Day dates and deadlines
• Getting ready for the Home Study Field Day
• The Field Day
• What to bring to the Field Day
• Directions to Owl Brook
• Is Home Study right for you?
  

Registration

To request the student materials and to sign up for the required field day, call Lisa Collins in the Hunter Education Program at (603) 271-3212 or email hunter-ed@wildlife.nh.gov. At this time you will need to provide the following requested information:

• Your Name
• Mailing address
• Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Course date
  The format you would prefer the manual in either:
• Traditional-style book format
• Internet-based format

We need this information so we can mail your student packet to you, contact you in case there is a change in the required field day, and to verify your age for eligibility, and to make sure that participants under age 18 receive a registration card within their student packet for a parent or legal guardian to complete and sign for returning on the field day.

There are frequent updates to the course schedule and new courses will be posted below as they become available, check this page regularly.  Each field day is limited to 25 participants and registration is on a first come first served basis, unless otherwise indicated. The last day that registration will be accepted for a field day is 15 days prior to the field day. There is a $5.00 fee to attend this course, which needs to be paid when you attend the field day.
(Click here for directions and more about Owl Brook Hunter Education Center.)

Field day dates and registration deadlines for 2008 -

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL IMPORTANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE FIELD DAY.

Don't forget -- pre-registration is required! Field Day classes will be limited in size to assure plenty of hands on learning and interaction with instructors. If you are unable to attend a field day that you signed up for, please call (603) 271-3212 to cancel. Thank you.

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Getting Ready For The Home Study Field Day

Certification: The end goal of the student in any hunter education course, besides becoming a safe, ethical, and responsible hunter, is receiving the certification card, which will allow its holder to purchase his/her first hunting license. To achieve that goal, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Pass the written exam with a minimum score of 80%.
  
• Pass the field exam.
  
• Properly handle firearms during the entire experience.

Preparation for the exams: PLEASE READ COMPLETELY!

Now that you are registered and have received your student information packet, it is your responsibility to prepare for the written exam and the field exam. The questions on the exam are derived not only from the manual or Internet course, but also from ALL of the materials contained in the student information packet. Once again, it is your responsibility to study all of these materials prior to your attendance at the field day. Come prepared! A score of 80% or better on the written exam must be achieved for you to continue with the field day and to be eligible for certification. If you score below 80%, you will not be allowed to participate in the field day or receive certification. A re-test will NOT be given; you must register with Concord Headquarters for a different field day.

In addition to your preparing for the exam, we would like you to put together a basic first aid/survival kit based on the information found within your manual and the provided booklet, Out Smart in the Outback. Please bring this kit with you on the field day, so that during the field day your instructor, your classmates, and you can review the contents of the kit for functionality. The kit will not be graded, but it may benefit you in the future to have this kit with you while hunting! Remember, when putting the kit together -- survival is the key, not necessarily comfort. After all, you must be able to carry the thing!

It is highly recommended that prior to the field day that you visit a reputable dealer of firearms and sporting supplies. This will enable you to see and handle firearms of the five action types that are described in your student manual from many different manufacturers. There will be hands-on opportunities at the field day, but there is no way we can provide the variety that can be found in the inventories at these establishments. When choosing the establishment to visit, it is important to determine that the employee you are dealing with is familiar with the products offered. If possible, it is also good idea to take along someone whom you know to be knowledgeable in hunting and firearms.

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The Field Day: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The field day starts promptly at 8 a.m. with a presentation by a Conservation Officer of the laws that regulate hunting in New Hampshire. The written exam is then given and is intended to measure the knowledge portion of the course. A passing score of at least 80% assures us that you have reviewed the required materials and that you are prepared for the skills or hands-on portion of the course, the field day. The skills and hands-on experiences listed below are what the field day is all about; we want you to learn by doing. At the end of the field day there is a field exam that is either pass or fail, you must pass the field exam to receive certification. Also, ALL instructors have the authority to fail a student for improper firearms handling anytime during a field day! When handling any firearm at any time, ALWAYS remember to control the muzzle.

The field exam: The remainder of the field day will consist of hands-on experiences in the following areas:

• Firearms handling. At this time you will be familiarized with the operations of firearms of the five action types, including how to determine the proper ammunition for a specific firearm and how to load and unload each action type. Also, you will be introduced to crossing obstacles while carrying a firearm, the proper firearm carries, how to set up zones of fire, and how to properly transport firearms to the field in vehicles.
• Map & Compass and Survival. You will be provided with hands on training in the use of a compass, a map, and a compass and a map together. Also, the first aid/survival kit you made will be reviewed.
• Live fire exercise. You will be REQUIRED to fire at least five rounds from a .22 rifle under the supervision of the course instructors. This exercise will help you become familiar with operating and firing a bolt-action firearm under controlled conditions. It will also give the instructors an opportunity to observe your firearms handling skills. The .22 rifle used will be the same bolt-action rifle introduced during the firearms handling portion of the field day. Basic sight alignment and proper shooting skills will be covered.

As mentioned before, the field exam is pass or fail. It is designed around a simulated hunt, from arriving at your favorite hunting spot, until returning to the vehicle at the end of the day's hunt. You will be asked during the field exam to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you acquired through the written materials and the hands-on portions of the course. You will be presented with shoot/don't shoot situations, obstacles to cross, such as a fence or stone wall, situations where "zones of fire" will need to be determined and various other scenarios that allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the course materials.

Sound intense? It is meant to be, but fun too!

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What to bring to the Field Day

Because there is not a store or town near the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, it is important that you bring a bag lunch to the daylong training. One-half hour is allotted for lunch, and this does not allow enough time to "run out" and buy a lunch.

Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the field day. Large portions of the courses will be conducted outdoors under varying weather conditions. We will be outside in these conditions as long as life-threatening situations (i.e. sub-zero temperatures, lightning or high winds) are not present. Your comfort and attention level will greatly increased if you are dressed for the weather. Your instructors will be prepared to be outside and will expect you to be also. For example, if there is snow on the ground, do not come to a class with only sneakers on your feet and no coat. Time will be allotted for you to change, if necessary.

Suggested items to bring to the field day:

• Water bottle
  
• Hat and Gloves
  
• Sun screen and Sun Glasses
  
• Appropriate Footwear

Do NOT bring the following to the field day:

• Firearms and ammunition! These will be provided.
  
• Pets
  
• Non-participants of the field day (except parents/guardians of those under age 18)
  

Directions to Owl Brook Hunter Education Center

Take I-93 to Exit 24 (Ashland), at the end of the ramp turn right onto Route 3/Route 25 and take this into the center of Ashland. In Ashland bear left at the "Y" and continue along Route 3/25 south towards Holderness until you come to the blinking light at the junction of Route 175. Turn left onto 175 and follow it for 1.7 miles to Hardhack Road. Turn right onto Hardhack Road. Go about 75 yards and turn right onto Perch Pond Road. Follow Perch Pond Road for 1.8 miles, and the entrance to the center will be on the left. The classroom building is about 100 yards or so through the gate on the right.

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Is Home Study Right For You?
The Hunter Education home study option is not for everyone. If you are a self-starter and can glean information through written text and/or electronic text, then this may be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if you process information more easily in a classroom setting, then the traditional style course is your best bet. Either way, you can expect to have the same amount of time invested -- between 12 and 16 hours.

Whether you choose the traditional or home study hunter education course, our goal is the same -- to prepare you to be safe and responsible hunters so you can enjoy your time afield. Good luck and happy hunting!

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