HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM  

Last Updated: 5/13/13

NEW - Mentored-Youth Hunting Program

This program offers first-time hunters and non-hunter education graduates under 18 years of age the opportunity to purchase a hunting license and/or apply for public draw hunts. After completion of a simplified online-training quiz youth can obtain a their Mentored-Youth (MY) number to hunt under the supervision of an adult mentor. The hunter enters their unique MY number into their NMDGF online account in the appropriate box to purchase a license or apply for public draw hunts.

Access the Mentored-Youth Quiz here.

At all times while hunting, Mentored-Youth Hunters must be within unaided sight and voice distance from one another. Mentors must be 18 years of age or older and either a parent or guardian or an adult with parental consent and also hold a current, valid hunting license of any kind.

Mentored-Youth Hunter registration is valid only once for two-consecutive license years. At the end of the second license year, each Mentored-Youth Hunter under 18 years of age is required to complete an instructor led Hunter Education Course to continue to purchase a Game-hunting License or Game-hunting & Fishing License and apply for draw hunts.

For more information, click here or call toll-free: 1-888-248-6866.

About Our Courses

Courses are available year-round, statewide. All course registration is conducted online through the students NMDGF Customer Identification Number (CIN) account. It is recommended to enroll as early as possible as courses before the draw deadlines and hunting seasons fill quickly.

To view a current class listing please scroll down below, call the Program office (contact numbers are located at the bottom of this page) or any of the Department's satellite offices.

STEPS TO REGISTER FOR A COURSE:

1. Create a CIN account through the Department's Online License System for each student you wish to register. If the student already has a CIN account, simply log in.   Click Here to create a CIN and/or to log in to register.
2. Once logged in, click the Hunter Education tab.
3. Click the Register for Classes button at the top of the page and follow the additional prompts.

Additional courses in your area may be scheduled throughout the year so be sure to check this site frequently for updates. A Bowhunter Student Course will not certify a student to hunt with a firearm.

The Department offers two types of instructor led student courses: a Standard Course and a Field Day Course. Either student course may also offer a live fire component where students have the opportunity to hone their marksmanship skills on a shooting range.

A Standard Course is approximately sixteen hours of class time and is for students of any age, however, youth 10 years of age and younger are required to attend with an adult. A Field Day Course is approximately six hours of class time for students 11 years of age or older only.

Students have the option of completing the required pre-course homework either online (see options listed below) OR through a free hardcopy student manual. Hardcopy manuals may be picked up from specified locations once a student has registered for a course. Students must bring their completed student manual or New Mexico Online Completion Certificate to class to gain admittance.

Once registered students must attend all class sessions, pass a written exam and are also tested on their ability to safely handle firearms to earn their Hunter Education Number. Classes often spend two or more hours outdoors. Please be sure the student is dressed accordingly.

To view course specifics you MUST be logged into your New Mexico Online License System account. Click Here

Online Hunter Education Manuals (Pre-Course Homework)

Students have two online manual choices in lieu of completing the homework through the hardcopy student manual. HUNTERcourse.com is free to the user. Hunter-Ed.com is user pay. Both online manuals meet the pre-course homework requirement portion of a Hunter Education course. After completing the online manual students print a completion certificate. Students must bring the Online Course Completion Certificate to class to gain admittance. The Online Course Completion Certificate does not shorten the students class time. Students MUST attend all hours of the class they have registered for.

The Online Hunter Education Manual meets the required pre-course homework for both the Standard and Field Day hunter education courses.

It is necessary to have access to a computer, printer (for completion certificate) and adequate internet access to complete the online manual option.

Other online Educational Resources:

E-books about Handgun Safety and Wildlife Identification are available through the Kalkomey Bookstore! Readers can download the e-books directly to their Kindle, Nook, iPad or a variety of e-reader apps.

NEW OFFERINGS - Those who are new to turkey hunting or are thinking about taking it up will find the new e-book Today's Turkey Hunter a valuable how-to guide. Published by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc., Today's Turkey Hunter contains wild turkey video, audio of the most common turkey calls, and easy-to-understand instructions. "Safe turkey hunting strategies are well worth learning because they're also tactics that can put you in the best position to take a gobbler," said Tom Hughes, the National Wild Turkey Federation's assistant vice president for Conservation Programs. To purchase the e-book Today's Turkey Hunter, Click Here.

Bowhunter Education

This course teaches the fundamentals of safe and responsible archery hunting. Bowhunter Education certification is not required to hunt during archery seasons in New Mexico; however it is required in several surrounding states. Information on states with mandatory bowhunter education requirements can be found at the IHEA’s Bowhunter Education Standards webpage. The New Mexico Bowhunter Education Certification is accepted in all states and Canadian Provinces. This course is hands-on and students are not required to have their own equipment.

First Step - Students MUST complete the pre-course homework portion prior to attending a Bowhunter Field Day. Students have the option of completing their pre-course homework online (user-pay) or by obtaining a free hard copy of the Bowhunter Student Manual. Instructions on how to obtain a hard copy manual is available through their New Mexico Online License System CIN account once a they have registered for a bowhunter course .

	Interested In Becoming Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor? Interested in passing on your knowledge of hunting and firearms safety in YOUR community? Click here.
	Hunter Education Instructors Click on the Volunteer Instructor logo to access the Volunteer Instructor page. Here you will find scheduled workshops, your quarterly newsletter, pertinent information about the Program and updates that may effect you, your teaching team and your classes.

Have Questions?   Please contact a member of  the Hunter Education Program Staff.