(Editor’s note: We’ve received calls from some readers who have had difficulty downloading the completed course certificate upon finishing the online coursework. The course is best taken on a laptop computer as certain iPhones do not allow the user to download the certificate. Other problems? Call Kalkomey, the Texas-based company that’s offering the course for customer service support 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central Standard Time. Call 1-800-830-2268 or 214-351-0461, or send an email to info@kalkomey.com.)

The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced it is offering a complete online hunting safety education course for a limited time only.

First-time hunters who want to hunt in New York must first earn a hunter education certificate prior to purchasing their first hunting license. The certificate is then good for all future purchases of hunting licenses,.

Previously, classroom time, along with some required online homework ahead of time, was required to get a hunter education certificate. “Unfortunately, all traditional hunter education courses have been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving many new hunters unable to get a certificate before spring turkey season,” DEC said in press release.

The statewide regular spring turkey hunting season is set from May 1-31, and the youth (ages 12-15) turkey hunting weekend on April 25-26.

The online course, will be offered from April 15 to June 30, and can be taken by anyone ages 11 and older and can be completed from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time. A hunter must be at least 12, though, to buy a license.

“Students who complete the online course and virtual field day, and pass the final exam, will receive their hunter education certificate and can purchase a hunting license,” DEC said.

The cost of the course is $19.95 and is offered on the Kalkomey website.

Earlier this year, the DEC announced that the state’s 2019 hunting seasons were the safest on record since the began keeping hunting accident statistics nearly 60 years ago. Credit goes to the state’s hunter safety courses, DEC said.

Of the 12 hunting-related shooting incidents last year, seven were two-party firearm incidents, five were self-inflicted and one resulted in a fatality. The DEC report included incidents from the small game, waterfowl, turkey and big game hunting seasons.

WHAT ABOUT A COMPLETE ONLINE SAFETY COURSE FOR BOWHUNTERS?

The DEC said with bowhunting certifications not needed until October when the fall big game hunting season opens, the agency is still evaluating whether to offer a complete online course for bowhunters, in addition to future opportunities for in-person courses.

WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY COMPLETED THE ONLINE HOMEWORK PART OF THE HUNTER SAFETY COURSE AND THEIR CLASS WAS CANCELLED?

If someone has the voucher that they completed the online homework, they should be able to log back into their account and they should be given the option to complete the Virtual Field Day. If they successfully complete that, they will be given their hunter education certificate.

GET YOUR LICENSE ONLINE:

Purchase your license and/or turkey permit online to avoid visiting busy stores or because stores may be closed or have limited hours. Licenses and tags purchased online take 10-14 days to arrive, so online purchases for the youth turkey hunt should have been made by April 10, and for the regular season by April 16.

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Have a question or suggested story concerning the Upstate NY outdoors scene? Outdoors writer David Figura can be reached by email at dfigura@NYup.com, on Facebook or by calling 315-470-6066.