Courses & How-to-Register

  • Wildlife identification (such as whitetail antler or track casts from elk, moose, and bear) is key for responsible, ethical hunters in New Mexico.
  • A pellet shooting trailer helps New Mexico students understand proper sight alignment, sight picture & ethical shot placement while hunting.
  • Students receive instruction on proper zones-of-fire techniques in a Field Day Hunter Education Course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
  • Students demonstrating the proper kneeling position during a sponsored Hunter Education Course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
  • Students are instructed to safely work a lever action firearm in a Hunter Education Course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
  • Student learns to safely work a bolt action firearm in a Department sponsored Hunter Education Course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
  • Students learning to safely cross a fence during a Hunter Education Course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
  • Field Day course from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Students learn the importance of matching correct firearm ammunition.
  • Students during New Mexico Department of Game and Fish field evaluation demonstrating the prone shooting position, the most steady of four positions.

How-to-Register

  • First review our Hunter Education Course Schedule and Course Types in the tabs below.
  • Next create a CIN account for each individual student through our Online License System: click here.
    (If the student already has a CIN account, simply log in: click here).
  • In the student’s CIN account, click Hunter Education (from the Main Menu), then click the Register for Hunter Ed Classes button, and follow the prompts.

2019 Statewide Hunter and Bowhunter Education Courses

Below you will find a current list of scheduled statewide hunter and bowhunter education courses. This list is updated as we hear from our volunteer instructors. Check back frequently if you do not see a class in your area as this list is updated daily.

Hunter Education Homework

All students registered for either a hunter education or field day hunter education course have the option of completing the required pre-course homework either electronically (see link below) OR through a hardcopy student manual. Both options are free. Hardcopy manuals may be picked up from specified locations once a student has registered for a course or from one of the department’s area offices. Either versions of the student manual homework are acceptable and must be completed prior to the first day of class to gain admittance.

It is necessary to have access to a computer, printer and adequate internet to download and print the pdf version of the student manual and worksheets. Students must print and bring the completed worksheets to class to gain admittance. Students do not need to print out the entire manual, just the worksheet pages. This manual meets the pre-course homework requirement portion of any instructor-led hunter education course. Click here to download the FREE pdf student manual.

Today's Hunter: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Manual pre-course homework requirement portion of instructor-led hunter education course).

The electronic manual DOES NOT qualify youth hunters for the Mentored-Youth Quiz or for the Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.

Hunter/Bowhunter Education Course List

Updated 7-10-2019
Keep checking on a regular basis for our 2018 hunter and bow hunter education instructor-led course schedule. Courses are added to the below class listing as we hear from our teaching teams.

For specific course times, locations and registration information you MUST be logged into the students New Mexico Online License System account.

Courses listed as Hunter Education are for students of any age. Field Day Hunter Education courses are for students ***10 years of age and older for these classes. Additionally, Live-Fire may be associated with any course and indicates that students will participate in an actual shooting activity on a range. Bowhunter student courses will not certify a student to hunt with a firearm.

Note: sort the contents of this table by clicking arrows next to column names (either up or down), or by typing a single word into the search box. Search examples could be: NEW, Valencia, Bowhunter, etc.
CountyCityClassClass DateRegistration OpensNotice
BernalilloAlbuquerqueBow HunterJun 8May 15
BernalilloAlbuquerqueHunter Education / Field DayAug 17Jul 22
BernalilloAlbuquerqueHunter Education / Field DayOct 5Sep 16
BernalilloAlbuquerqueHunter EducationOct 26-27Oct 7
CatronN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
ChavesN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
CibolaN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
ColfaxN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
CurryClovisHunter Education / Live FireAug 2-4Jul 11
De BacaN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
Dona AnaSunland ParkHunter EducationJul 19-21Jul 11
EddyN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
GrantN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
GuadalupeN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
HardingN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
HidalgoN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
LeaLovingtonHunter EducationMay 24-25May 17
LeaHobbsHunter Education / Live FireSept 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14Aug 5
LincolnN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
Los AlamosN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
LunaN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
McKinleyN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
MoraN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
OteroN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
QuayN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
Rio ArribaN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
RooseveltPortalesHunter EducationMay 9-11Apr 11
San JuanN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
San MiguelN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
SandovalCorralesHunter EducationJun 8-9Apr 24Full
Santa FeN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
SierraN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
SocorroN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
TaosN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
TorranceN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
UnionN/ANo classes at this time.N/AN/A
ValenciaLos LunasHunter Education / Field Day Jun 29Jun 4
ValenciaIsletaHunter EducationJun 29-30Jun 23

Bowhunter Course Options

Standard Bowhunter Course – is approximately an eight (8) hour course that incorporates lecture, review and emphasizes hands-on learning. Students are evaluated through a written exam and a field test. An adult is required to attend the course with students 10 years of age and younger. Students must complete their course homework prior to attending the class. Students have the option of completing their homework by obtaining a free hard copy of the Today’s Bowhunter student manual or by completing the manual online. Please be advised that the online manual is a user-pay. Instructions on how to obtain a hard copy manual is available through the students New Mexico Online License System CIN account once a they have registered for a bowhunter course.

Today's Bowhunter: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Field Day Bowhunter Course – is for students 11 years of age and older. This is an accelerated four (4) hour course that focuses on hands-on skills only and field evaluations. Students participating in the Bowhunter Field Day course are REQUIRED to complete the online Field Day qualifier course and exam at www.bowhunter-ed.com/newmexico/. This course is a user pay. It is necessary to have access to a computer, printer (for completion certificate) and adequate internet access to complete the online portion for the Bowhunter Field Day.

FREE  Treestand Safety Course