Connecticut Hunter Education
Connecticut's Conservation Education and Firearms Safety (CE/FS) Program
Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) courses are administered by the DEEP Wildlife Division and taught throughout the year by a dedicated corps of certified volunteer instructors. Certifications are offered in the disciplines of firearms hunting, bowhunting, and trapping. Please note: Course registration is limited to a pre-determined number of students for each location.
Hunter education course offerings:
Firearms
Traditional Firearms Hunter Safety - This in-person course includes both classroom instruction and field exercises. The course is two full days of instruction but may be broken down into smaller sessions over more than two days. All sessions must be attended.
Self-Study Firearms Hunter Safety - This course requires students to first complete one of two approved online firearms hunter education courses before attending a full day of in-person instruction, covering classroom material and field exercises.
Bowhunting
Bowhunter Safety - This 6-hour minimum in-person course includes both classroom and field exercises.
Trapping
Basic and Land Trapping - This in-person course consists of a full day of instruction, including classroom materials and field exercises. Graduates will receive both the basic trapping certification and land trapping certification, allowing for the purchase of a trapping license and those with a valid trapping license to participate in the coyote land trapping certification.
Tree Stand Safety
Improper use of tree stands is one of the most common causes for injuries and death to hunters in the field. Free online instruction on the proper use of tree stands and safety harnesses.
Licenses and Permits: Online Outdoor Licensing
For more information about the CE/FS Program, contact the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011 (deep.huntereducation@ct.gov)
Connecticut Hunter Safety Manual: The hunter safety course manual is available for download in two ways. You can download the entire manual in one large zip file or you may download individual chapters.
The Connecticut CE/FS Program receives 75% of its funds from the Federal Wildlife Restoration Program. The remaining 25% state match is derived by using the value of the services provided by the volunteer instructors. The Federal Wildlife Restoration Program is funded by an excise tax paid by sportsmen on rifles, shotguns, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment.
Related information:
- Main hunting and trapping webpage
- General wildlife information
- State Environmental Conservation Police
Related organizations:
- International Hunter Education Association
- National Bowhunter Education Foundation
- National Trappers Association
This program receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you need more information, please write to:
Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights
U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Content last updated on October 6, 2026.