26 September 2013

Hunter Safety Class Filled

This is a repeat from our notice posted in August:

BOOKED SOLID ~ and with a waiting list
        DEEP Hunter Safety Course
4      Friday - 6 pm to 9 pm
5      Saturday - 8 am to 5 pm
6      Sunday - 8 am to 2 pm
        DEEP Archery/Bowhunting Course
13    Sunday - 8 am to 4 pm

You must complete this course and show a certificate of completion before you can get a new hunting license -if-

 • If you have never had a hunting license before - or -
 • if it has been five years since you renewed your resident hunting license - or -
 • if you are looking to obtain a long gun eligibility certificate.

All firearms hunting courses are 16 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times. Check the DEEP website fact-sheet for answers to other questions you may have about hunting licenses and regulations.

You can also take it even if you have a current license and just want to get updated on changes in the DEEP Hunting rules. But you MUST register in advance to take part in the classes.

Technically, the name of this training is the "Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) course". Register for the course by calling the FRANKLIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Offices - (391 Route 32, North Franklin) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at (860) 642-7239.

In the sixteen hours of instruction, course topics include:
 •  Responsibility & ethics of hunters          •  Hunting & firearms laws          •  First aid & survival
 •  Safe and skillful use of modern firearms          •  Nomenclature of ammunition
 •  Introduction to safe and skillful use of muzzleloading firearms          •  Wildlife identification
 •  Introduction to trapping          •  Introduction to safe and skillful use of bowhunting equipment
 •  Marksmanship & gun handling          •  Wildlife management          •  Hunting with gundogs        
 •  Care and use of harvested game          •  Wild turkey hunting safety          •  Hunting on water

Students must pass a final examination of 100 questions with 80% correct. They must demonstrate their ability to handle firearms in actual field conditions such as live firing at a range, fence crossing and removal of firearms from vehicles. This course may take more than sixteen hours depending on weather conditions and students abilities.


The Connecticut CE/FS Program receives 75% of its funds from the Pittman-Robertson Program. The remaining 25% state match is derived by using the value of the services provided by the volunteer instructors. The Pittman-Robertson Program is funded by the excise tax paid by sportsmen on rifles, shotgun, ammunition, handguns and archery equipment. Pittman Robertson is only one of several funds and programs paid for by sportsmen to support wildlife preservation.

SOME INFO ABOUT CHANGES IN GUN LAWS and HOW IT IMPACTS HUNTERS How does the new gun law affect my activities as a hunter? The new gun law should not affect your hunting activities in the field but the requirements for purchasing firearms and ammunition, however, have changed significantly and will apply to everyone, including hunters. The State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has a FAQ page that outlines some of the new firearms/ammunition restrictions.