Firearms Hunting Courses
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
All firearms hunting courses are 16 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
Town Location Dates & Times To Register Call Handicapped
Accessible
Brooklyn Brooklyn Trading Post,
106 Tripp Hollow Rd.
July 14, 16, 21, 23 (6:00 PM- 9:30 PM) &
July 20 (8:30 AM- 12:00 PM)
Brooklyn Trading Post at (860) 774-7468
Yes
Durham New Haven Raccoon Club, 853 New Haven Road (Rt 17)
Lunch is Available
Aug. 24 & 31 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
(860) 675-8130 CLASS IS FULL
Yes
East Haddam Moodus Sportsmen's Club
September 24, 25, 29, October 2, 3
(6:00 PM - 9:00 PM), October 5
(9:00 AM- 4:00 PM) Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM No
Essex Essex Firehouse, Rt. 154
July 7, 8, 9, & 10 (6:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
July 12 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
860-642-7239 CLASS IS FULL
No
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
September 5 (5:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
September 6 & 7 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
October 10 (5:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
October 11 & 12 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Newtown Fairfield County Fish & Game Protective
Association, Hammertown Rd.
August 9 & 16 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
West Suffield Suffield Sportsman's Association, Phelps Rd.
September 12, 15, 17, & 19 (6:30 PM- 9:30 PM),
September 20 (8:00 AM- 1:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Bowhunting Courses
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
All bowhunting courses are 6 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
For all bow courses you must bring a bow and 5 arrows with target points.
Town Location Dates & Times To Registration Call Handicapped
Accessible
Berlin Mattabasset Rifle & Pistol Club,
Beckley Mills Rd.
July 12 (8:00 AM- Finish)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Brooklyn Brooklyn Trading Post,
106 Tripp Hollow Rd.
August 3 (8:30 AM- 5:00 PM)
Brooklyn Trading Post at (860) 774-7468
Yes
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford Street (Rt. 69)
July 13 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) Yes
Columbia Center Sports, 1 Orlando Dr.
July 27 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM No
Durham New Haven Raccoon Club, 853 New Haven Road (Rt.17)
Lunch is Available
July 27 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) Yes
East Haddam Moodus Sportsmen's Club
October 4 (9:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM No
Manchester Hall's Arrow, 291 Middle Turnpike West
July 27 (8:30 AM- 4:30 PM)
Hall's Arrow at (860) 646-0443
No
Meriden Meriden Rod & Gun Club, Raven Lane, South Meriden
August 24 (8:00 AM- 5:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Middlefield Connecticut Forest & Park,
16 Meriden Rd. (Rt. 66)
July 19 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
September 13 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
October 19 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Plainfield Pachaug Outdoor Club,
Lathrop Rd.
September 6 (8:30 AM- 4:30 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM No
West Suffield Suffield Sportsman's Association, Phelps Rd.
August 2 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
(860) 675-8130 CLASS IS FULL
Yes
Trapping Courses
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
Basic trapping course is 6 hours or longer. Coyote Land Trapping course is 4 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
Town Location Dates & Times To Registration Call Handicapped
Accessible
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
September 14 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Burlington (Coyote Land Trapping)
Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
October 19 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 Pm Yes
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
January 10 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Franklin Franklin Wildlife Management Area, 391 Rt. 32,
North Franklin
July 19, (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Franklin (Coyote Land Trapping)
Franklin Wildlife Management Area, 391 Rt. 32,
North Franklin September 20 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Franklin Franklin Wildlife Management Area,
391 Rt. 32, North Franklin
October 4 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
History and Purpose
Since 1955, the State of Connecticut has provided instruction for new hunters. The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection is required by law (CGS. Sec. 26-31) to:
* Formulate a course of instruction in safe hunting practices and the handling and use of hunting and trapping equipment.
* Require proof of successful completion of the necessary courses from any person twelve years of age of older seeking a hunting license for the first time.
* Require any youth twelve to sixteen years of age seeking to purchase a junior license to hunt with a licensed adult.
* Require all first time trappers, regardless of age, to obtain trapping certification before they can be licensed. As of 1982, a junior license is required for minors under sixteen years of age.
* Require that no license to hunt be issued to any person unless they have held a resident license to hunt with firearms in any state of country within five years from the date of application or possesses a certificate of completion from Connecticut or an equivalent from another state, province or country.
Who should take courses?
* All first time hunters at least 11 years old and trappers of any age.
* Those hunters who have not held a resident license within the past five years from another state or country.
* After January 1, 2002, all persons who wish to hunt with a bow and have not taken the CE/FS bowhunting course or its equivalent.
* Those individuals who have never taken the course and want to participate in a controlled hunt.
* Individuals who want to learn more about outdoor safety, hunting and wildlife management.
Description of the Basic Firearms Course
The basic Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Course (CE/FS) consists of at least 16 hours of instruction in 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 gundogs
In addition to the sixteen hours of instruction, 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. With all the time considered, the average course is about 20 hours long.
Bowhunting Courses
To meet the license requirements to bowhunt, applicants must successfully pass a specialized course. The course is approximately six hours long and consists of both classroom study and field work. After January 1, 2002, all persons wishing to hunt with a bow must take the CE/FS bowhunting course or its equivalent.
Trapping Courses
To meet the license requirements to trap, applicants must successfully pass a basic trapping course. The basic trapping course is approximately six hours long and consists of both classroom study and field work. Anyone wishing to land trap for coyotes must also take the Coyote Land Trapping Course. This is a separate course from the basic trapping course. Anyone wishing to enroll in the Coyote Land Trapping Course, must have completed the basic trapping course or an equivalent course from another state or province. The Coyote Land Trapping Course teaches specific practical techniques that must be used for land trapping coyotes. Persons who pass this course and purchase a trapping license are authorized during a specific season to land trap coyotes on private property of at least 10 contiguous acres in size.
Logo 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.
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
All firearms hunting courses are 16 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
Town Location Dates & Times To Register Call Handicapped
Accessible
Brooklyn Brooklyn Trading Post,
106 Tripp Hollow Rd.
July 14, 16, 21, 23 (6:00 PM- 9:30 PM) &
July 20 (8:30 AM- 12:00 PM)
Brooklyn Trading Post at (860) 774-7468
Yes
Durham New Haven Raccoon Club, 853 New Haven Road (Rt 17)
Lunch is Available
Aug. 24 & 31 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
(860) 675-8130 CLASS IS FULL
Yes
East Haddam Moodus Sportsmen's Club
September 24, 25, 29, October 2, 3
(6:00 PM - 9:00 PM), October 5
(9:00 AM- 4:00 PM) Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM No
Essex Essex Firehouse, Rt. 154
July 7, 8, 9, & 10 (6:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
July 12 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
860-642-7239 CLASS IS FULL
No
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
September 5 (5:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
September 6 & 7 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
October 10 (5:00 PM- 9:00 PM),
October 11 & 12 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Newtown Fairfield County Fish & Game Protective
Association, Hammertown Rd.
August 9 & 16 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
West Suffield Suffield Sportsman's Association, Phelps Rd.
September 12, 15, 17, & 19 (6:30 PM- 9:30 PM),
September 20 (8:00 AM- 1:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Bowhunting Courses
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
All bowhunting courses are 6 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
For all bow courses you must bring a bow and 5 arrows with target points.
Town Location Dates & Times To Registration Call Handicapped
Accessible
Berlin Mattabasset Rifle & Pistol Club,
Beckley Mills Rd.
July 12 (8:00 AM- Finish)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Brooklyn Brooklyn Trading Post,
106 Tripp Hollow Rd.
August 3 (8:30 AM- 5:00 PM)
Brooklyn Trading Post at (860) 774-7468
Yes
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford Street (Rt. 69)
July 13 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) Yes
Columbia Center Sports, 1 Orlando Dr.
July 27 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM No
Durham New Haven Raccoon Club, 853 New Haven Road (Rt.17)
Lunch is Available
July 27 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) Yes
East Haddam Moodus Sportsmen's Club
October 4 (9:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM No
Manchester Hall's Arrow, 291 Middle Turnpike West
July 27 (8:30 AM- 4:30 PM)
Hall's Arrow at (860) 646-0443
No
Meriden Meriden Rod & Gun Club, Raven Lane, South Meriden
August 24 (8:00 AM- 5:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Middlefield Connecticut Forest & Park,
16 Meriden Rd. (Rt. 66)
July 19 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
September 13 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Montville Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club
October 19 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Plainfield Pachaug Outdoor Club,
Lathrop Rd.
September 6 (8:30 AM- 4:30 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM No
West Suffield Suffield Sportsman's Association, Phelps Rd.
August 2 (8:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
(860) 675-8130 CLASS IS FULL
Yes
Trapping Courses
Pre-Registration is Mandatory
Basic trapping course is 6 hours or longer. Coyote Land Trapping course is 4 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.
Town Location Dates & Times To Registration Call Handicapped
Accessible
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
September 14 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Burlington (Coyote Land Trapping)
Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
October 19 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 Pm Yes
Burlington Sessions Woods WMA, 341 Milford St.
January 10 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Sessions Woods WMA at (860) 675-8130
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM Yes
Franklin Franklin Wildlife Management Area, 391 Rt. 32,
North Franklin
July 19, (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Franklin (Coyote Land Trapping)
Franklin Wildlife Management Area, 391 Rt. 32,
North Franklin September 20 (8:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
Franklin Franklin Wildlife Management Area,
391 Rt. 32, North Franklin
October 4 (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)
Franklin WMA at 860-642-7239 or dep.franklinwildlife@ct.gov
8:30 AM to 4:30PM Yes
History and Purpose
Since 1955, the State of Connecticut has provided instruction for new hunters. The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection is required by law (CGS. Sec. 26-31) to:
* Formulate a course of instruction in safe hunting practices and the handling and use of hunting and trapping equipment.
* Require proof of successful completion of the necessary courses from any person twelve years of age of older seeking a hunting license for the first time.
* Require any youth twelve to sixteen years of age seeking to purchase a junior license to hunt with a licensed adult.
* Require all first time trappers, regardless of age, to obtain trapping certification before they can be licensed. As of 1982, a junior license is required for minors under sixteen years of age.
* Require that no license to hunt be issued to any person unless they have held a resident license to hunt with firearms in any state of country within five years from the date of application or possesses a certificate of completion from Connecticut or an equivalent from another state, province or country.
Who should take courses?
* All first time hunters at least 11 years old and trappers of any age.
* Those hunters who have not held a resident license within the past five years from another state or country.
* After January 1, 2002, all persons who wish to hunt with a bow and have not taken the CE/FS bowhunting course or its equivalent.
* Those individuals who have never taken the course and want to participate in a controlled hunt.
* Individuals who want to learn more about outdoor safety, hunting and wildlife management.
Description of the Basic Firearms Course
The basic Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Course (CE/FS) consists of at least 16 hours of instruction in 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 gundogs
In addition to the sixteen hours of instruction, 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. With all the time considered, the average course is about 20 hours long.
Bowhunting Courses
To meet the license requirements to bowhunt, applicants must successfully pass a specialized course. The course is approximately six hours long and consists of both classroom study and field work. After January 1, 2002, all persons wishing to hunt with a bow must take the CE/FS bowhunting course or its equivalent.
Trapping Courses
To meet the license requirements to trap, applicants must successfully pass a basic trapping course. The basic trapping course is approximately six hours long and consists of both classroom study and field work. Anyone wishing to land trap for coyotes must also take the Coyote Land Trapping Course. This is a separate course from the basic trapping course. Anyone wishing to enroll in the Coyote Land Trapping Course, must have completed the basic trapping course or an equivalent course from another state or province. The Coyote Land Trapping Course teaches specific practical techniques that must be used for land trapping coyotes. Persons who pass this course and purchase a trapping license are authorized during a specific season to land trap coyotes on private property of at least 10 contiguous acres in size.
Logo 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.