Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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CE/FS Firearms Hunting Safety Courses

Two options are available for completion of a Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) certification -- the Traditional Firearms Hunting Safety Course and the Self-Study Firearms Hunting Safety Course. Either option will result in the required certification to firearms hunt in Connecticut. Both options are outlined below.

Traditional Firearms Hunting Safety Course
  • At least 16 hours of in-person classroom instruction.
  • Classes may be scheduled over several weeknights and one weekend day, or two weekend days.
  • Students MUST ATTEND ALL DATES.
  • Firearms and ammunition will be provided at the field day. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREARMS.
  • Students must score a passing grade on a 50 question multiple choice exam.
Self-Study Firearms Hunting Safety Course
  • Students must complete an online student training course (two options offered). Either option takes approximately 8 hours to complete.
  • Course can be completed at student’s own pace.
  • Signed Certificate of Completion must be presented at the time of the field day.
  • Attend a field day consisting of a minimum of 8 hours of instruction.
  • Firearms and ammunition will be provided at the field day. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREARMS.
  • Students must score a passing grade on a 50 question multiple choice exam.

 

Traditional Firearms Hunting Safety Course Option

Register for Available Traditional Firearms Hunting Safety Courses

The Traditional Firearms Hunting Safety Course consists of a minimum of 16 hours of instructor-led class time and will cover the following topics:

  • Responsibility and ethics of hunters

  • Hunting and firearms laws

  • Safe and skillful use of modern firearms

  • Nomenclature of ammunition

  • Introduction to safe and skillful use of muzzleloading firearms

  • Marksmanship and gun handling

  • Introduction to safe and skillful use of bowhunting equipment

  • Wildlife identification

  • Wildlife management

  • Care and use of harvested game

  • First aid and survival

  • Introduction to trapping

  • Wild turkey hunting safety

  • Hunting on water

  • Hunting with dogs

In the 16 hours of instruction, students must pass a final examination of 50 multiple choice questions with a minimum of 80% correct. They must also demonstrate their ability to properly handle firearms in actual field conditions, including live firing at a range, fence crossing, and removal of firearms from vehicles. This course may take more than 16 hours, depending on weather conditions and the pace of the students. Firearms and ammunition will be provided. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREARMS.

Additional Information:
  • Registration for a class will be limited to a pre-determined number of students for each session. 
  • All students under 18 years of age must be registered by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian must sign the student registration card at the field day.
  • The traditional and self-study course options include outdoor activities. Please wear season appropriate clothing and closed toe footwear suitable for wet and/or muddy conditions.
  • Many facilities are not located near food options. It is recommended students bring a bagged lunch.

In the case of inclement weather, students will be notified of any changes or cancellations.

PLEASE NOTE: Upon successfully completing your hunter education course, your CE/FS Hunter Education Certificate of Completion will print on the bottom of your hunting license upon class processing (Approximately two weeks after class completion).

Self-Study Firearms Hunting Safety Course Option

The Self Study Firearms Hunting Course consists of an online student training program available for free at NRA Hunter Education OR for $19.95 at Hunteredcourse.com AND an instructor-led field day of a minimum of 8 hours. Students must complete the online course before attending a field day and must bring their signed Certificate of Completion to their scheduled field day. The Self-Study Field Day consists of lectures, gun handling activities, live fire, and examinations. Minimum age for students: must be 10 years old by the last day of class. If a student is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must be present to sign the youth's registration card before the course starts. Youths may take the firearms course at age 10 but cannot acquire a hunting license until age 12.

Register for Available Self-Study Field Days

Requirements for the Self-Study Firearms Hunting Safety Course

Students must:

  1. Complete the Online Student Training Course for free from NRA Hunter Education OR for $19.95 at Hunteredcourse.com (see instructions) prior to the field day and bring your signed Certificate of Completion.You will not be admitted to the field day training without a printed Certificate of Completion from the online student training course.
  2.  Review and study the information at the following web pages:
    - CT DEEP Hunting and Trapping Page
    - 2020 CT Hunting and Trapping Guide
    - Tree Stand Safety Information
    - Lyme Disease information from the Connecticut Department of Public Health
  3. Review and study the regulation “Control of Actions and Behavior of Hunters”. There will be an exam at the field day on this information, which you must pass with a score of 100%.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to handle firearms in actual field conditions at the field day, such as fence crossing and removing firearms from vehicles.
  5. Demonstrate shooting safety by firing a .22 caliber rifle or a 20 gauge shotgun. Firearms and ammunition will be provided at the field day. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREARMS.
  6. Pass the CE/FS Firearms 50 multiple-choice question final exam at the field day with a score of 80% or better.
Additional Information:

  • Registration will be limited to a pre-determined number of students for each session. 
  • All students under 18 years of age must be registered by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian must sign the student registration card at the field day.
  • The traditional and self-study course options include outdoor activities. Please wear season appropriate clothing and closed toe footwear suitable for wet and/or muddy conditions.
  • Many facilities are not located near food options. It is recommended students bring a bagged lunch.

In the case of inclement weather, students will be notified of any changes or cancellations.

PLEASE NOTE: Upon successfully completing your hunter education course, your CE/FS Hunter Education Certificate of Completion will print on the bottom of your hunting license upon class processing (Approximately two weeks after class completion)

Instructions for the Online Student Training from NRA Hunter Education
  1. Go to the following website: NRA Hunter Education
  2. Scroll down to find “Official Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Online Hunter Education Course” and select start.
  3. Select the link for “New users register here”.
  4. Enter the required information and click “Register”.
  5. You are now ready to begin taking the free NRA Online Hunter Education Course. Begin with “Course Introduction” and proceed through each module until you have completed the course. You can leave the course at any time and pick up where you left off -- just be sure you remember your password.
Instructions for the Online Student Training from Hunteredcourse.com
  1. Go to the following website: www.hunteredcourse.com
  2. Select the green box that says “Get Certified Online” and then select Connecticut.
  3. Select the green box that says "Get Started"
  4. You will be prompted to create your own new account, including your unique username and password.  
  5. Enter the requested information to purchase the course ($19.95 fee).
  6. You will see a page confirming your transaction and showing your username and password. You may select “Log In Now” to access the course (by entering your unique username and password in the log-in box). 
  7. When you complete the enrollment page, you will receive an email message that confirms your unique username and password and also information on the course. If you return at a later date to start training or to continue a partially completed course, you must log in with your unique username and password at: www.hunteredcourse.com.

The Connecticut CE/FS Program receives 75% of its funds from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. The remaining 25% state match is derived by using the value of the services provided by the volunteer instructors. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program is funded by the excise tax paid by sportsmen on rifles, shotgun, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment.

Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature.

CE/FS Main Page

Hunting and Trapping Main Page
 

Content last updated January 17, 2020.