DEC offers new online bowhunter education course

NEW YORK » New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos unveiled that a new online bowhunter education certification course is open.

A bowhunter education course is required for all hunters who use a bow and arrow to hunt deer or bears. All hunters must also complete a mandatory hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

“DEC began offering online hunter education courses this spring, and the response has been fantastic,” Seggos said in a news release.

“I encourage all experienced and aspiring bowhunters to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up to take the bowhunter education course online,” Seggos added.

All in-person bowhunter education courses have been canceled this year during the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19.

The online course provides an opportunity for new archery hunters to get their required bowhunter education certificates before the fall hunting seasons begin. Since the April 15 launch of DEC’S new online hunter education

course, more than 30,000 people have completed the course. Nearly 70 percent of those completing the online course are 21 or over, and almost 40 percent are women.

DEC’S Hunter Education Program is partnering with Kalkomey Enterprises, a company that specializes in hunter education, to offer online courses that can be completed in six to eight hours.

The online course covers all the topics of the traditional in-person course including bow safety, tree stand safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and New York State hunting

laws and regulations.

Students who successfully complete the online bowhunter education course and pass the final exam will receive their bowhunter education certificate. The course is available to individuals aged 11 years and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smartphone at any time.

To take the online course and receive a bowhunter education certificate, you must be a New York State resident. The cost of the course is $30. The course can be accessed at https:// w w w.bowhunter-ed.com/ newyork/.

The online course will be available through Aug. 31, 2020.