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 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.

Course Schedule

2024 Statewide Hunter and Bowhunter Education Courses

Below, you will find a current list of in-person 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 regularly.

Hunter Education Homework

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

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Students registered for a hunter education course can get a free copy of the required pre-course homework electronically (see link below). Hardcopy manuals are available for pick up from any Area G&F Office or from specific locations that are disclosed once an individual is registered for a course. The student manual homework must be completed before the first day of class to gain admittance. Students do not need to be registered for a course to download a copy of the manual, they can start their homework at any time. Click here to download the free pdf student manual and worksheet.

The electronic Today’s Hunter manual does not qualify youth hunters for the Mentored-Youth Quiz or the Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.

 

Bowhunter Course Options

Bowhunter Education courses have limited offerings and/or are scheduled based on demand in any given area. If you are in need of a bowhunter education course to meet hunting requirements out-of-state or to meet other requirements, please email the Hunter Education Office at dgf-he@dgf.nm.gov.

Traditional 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 online course qualifier. Please be advised that the online option is a user-pay. Instructions on how to obtain a hard copy manual are available through the student’s New Mexico Online License System CIN account once they are registered for a bowhunter course.

Field Day Bowhunter Course – is for students 10 years of age and older. This is an accelerated four (4) hour course that focuses on hands-on skills only and field evaluations. An adult is required to attend the course with students under 11 years of age. 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.

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

Hunter/Bowhunter Education Course List