New Mexico Wildlife magazine Conserving New Mexico's Wildlife for Future Generations
“Yes, there is still time to complete the hunter education requirement before the March 18 draw deadline,” said Jennifer Morgan, hunter education coordinator with the Department of Game and Fish.
Aspiring hunters often have a lot of questions about how to get started. Or, those who haven’t hunted since childhood who would like to take up hunting again as adults may want to take a refresher course. Please remember that youth hunters must have proof of passing a state certified hunter education course or have a current New Mexico Mentored-Youth (MY) number in their possession while hunting.
In the Q&A below, Morgan answers more questions about how to complete hunter education to ensure you or your children are prepared to hunt in our state.
Yes! There are several in-person courses offered statewide before the application deadline. A statewide class listing is updated often and can be found at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/course-schedule/
The Department offers two types of in-person hunter education courses. The traditional instructor-led course is about 14 to 16 hours. Any student of any age may attend. Just remember that students under 11 must have a parent or other adult present with them throughout the class.
We also offer accelerated “Field Day” instructor-led hunter education courses that are about six hours. This course is for students 10 years of age and older only and incorporates less lecture and review and adds more hands-on components. Students who are 10 years of age must have a parent or responsible adult with them.
Learn more about these classes here www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/. You can also visit the Department’s Facebook page for information about classes: https://www.facebook.com/nmdgf/
?If I am unable to enroll into an in-person course can the hunter education requirement be fulfilled online?Absolutely! Students do have the option of earning their New Mexico hunter education certification completely online in addition to the offered instructor-led hunter education courses. However, students MUST be a New Mexico resident age 11 or older to take the online course. Courses are entirely online and the certification is recognized in all 50 states. All online course options are provided through a Department-approved, outside vendor. Online students are required to pass all chapter quizzes and a final exam to earn their New Mexico hunter education number. Click here to learn more and sign up: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/
?What other in-person hunter education opportunities are there?The Department offers several hunter education camps, with the next camp held the weekend of March 13-15 at Washington Ranch near Carlsbad. This camp is full, but there is still room on the waiting list. Additional camps will be offered throughout the spring until early fall at locations throughout the state. Find out more here: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/
Bowhunter education is not mandatory for archery hunts, but is highly recommended. Those interested in bowhunter education can visit www.bowhunter-ed.com/newmexico/ to learn more about classes.
?I completed my hunter education class. Where’s my hunter education card?Hard copy hunter education cards are no longer mailed out to graduating students. Upon successful completion of a hunter/bowhunter education course, all hunter education graduates need to print or reprint their Customer Identification Number (CIN) card. Students who completed a class will see an additional line with the hunter education number listed below their name. Once the hunter education number is listed on the CIN card, it becomes the student’s proof that he or she has completed the class and should be carried while hunting.
For more information about hunter education programs in New Mexico, visit: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/
