Learn to Hunt Opportunities in New York

The first step to hunting or trapping in New York is to receive your hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education certification. To learn more about certification requirements and to register for courses, visit the Hunter Education Program Courses And Certifications webpage.

One of the greatest hurdles to newly certified hunters going afield is the lack of experienced hunters to learn from. Mentored hunts and sponsored pheasant hunts provide an opportunity for novice hunters to gain hands-on, in the field experience under the supervision and assistance of more experienced individuals.

DEC’s Learn to Hunt Opportunities

Sponsored pheasant hunts are free, non-competitive events coordinated by a group, club, individual, or organization to benefit youth, women, new hunters, veterans, people of color and people with disabilities. DEC’s Reynold’s Game Farm provides up to 6,000 pheasants annually to stock these introductory hunting experiences in New York State. 

Are you interested in hosting a sponsored pheasant hunt?

For program requirements and more details, please see the Sponsored Pheasant Hunts Fact Sheet (PDF). To apply, please fill out the Sponsored Pheasant Hunt Program application. Email [email protected] for assistance. DEC will facilitate registration and aid in advertising, as well as provide two pheasants per hunter for the event. Event logistics and implementation are solely the responsibility of the host.

Mentored hunt events allow novice hunters to accompany an experienced hunter in the field to hunt for turkey, deer, small game, pheasant, or waterfowl. Mentored hunt events can be arranged to meet the needs of youth, novices, women, people with disabilities, veterans, or any other audience. 

Are you interested in attending a mentored hunt event?

Visit DEC’s Program Registration page to register for upcoming events. Check back if you don’t see hunts in your area right now. Unless otherwise specified, these mentored hunt events are not hosted by NYSDEC. Sole responsibility and liability for the event falls to the event hosting organization.

Are you interested in hosting a mentored hunt?

DEC will facilitate registration and aid in advertising for the event. Event logistics and implementation are solely the responsibility of the host. Fill out the Host a Mentored Hunt application with your event details and a DEC representative will be in contact with you about running registration for your event. If you have any questions call (1-888-486-8332) or email ([email protected]) for assistance. 

Why use DEC for registration and advertising? 
DEC’s program registration system is a streamlined event management site to efficiently gather the information you need from participants. The host of the event will be able to contact each participant once they register. DEC can also advertise your mentored hunt event to the public using our webpage, social media, and email newsletters. 

• Reach new audiences.
• Increase awareness for your event.
• Increase diversity of your participants.
• Recruit future mentors by advertising events.

NY Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW are programs designed to teach adult women outdoor skills. These programs provide information, encouragement, and hands-on instruction in activities such as fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, trapping, outdoor photography, map and compass, survival, camping, canoeing, and much more. BOW workshops are designed primarily for women who have little or no experience with outdoor activities.

BOW and Beyond BOW offer women’s hunter education courses and hunting and bowhunting workshops each year. 

To learn more about these opportunities for any adult who identifies with the female community, visit the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman webpage.

HuntFishNY Events

HuntFishNY Events is your one-stop resource for events offered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and a network of partners and instructors who conduct hands-on events to teach you the basics about hunting, fishing, trapping, outdoor safety, wildlife, and other outdoor skills. These events allow you to see what the outdoor experience and wildlife conservation is all about. 

Current events offered include: target shooting, introduction to bowhunting, fishing clinics, field dressing, trapping, mentored hunts, sponsored pheasant hunts, seminars, social gatherings and more. These events are designed for all ability levels. Visit DEC’s HuntFishNY Event page to register for upcoming events. Check back if you don’t see events in your area. New events are added weekly.