New Hampshire Hunter Education

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NH Hunter Education Program History

Pioneers in Firearms Safety Education

In the late 1940s, hunting accidents, especially among teens, were on the rise. Believing education to be the answer to reducing incidents, a small group dedicated themselves to train youngsters to use firearms safely. One of these men was Charles Brock from Dover. After losing a son to a hunting accident, he and Delwyn Main, an instructor in the NRA and member of the Oyster River Fish and Game Club, gained permission to begin a rifle club at Dover High School in 1948. The club focused on safety and marksmanship. This was one of the first 3 clubs of its kind in the country.

Hunter Safety in New Hampshire Schools

Meanwhile, Bowdoin Plumer, editor of the Bristol Enterprise and Rep. to the NH General Court, along with Conservation Officer Slim Baker, generated interest in a similar training course at a local community center. But Plumer believed New Hampshire needed a state-sponsored program on safe gun handling. By 1953 his efforts resulted in legislation authorizing NH schools to include instruction in the safe and proper use of firearms, game laws and good hunting practices – one of the first of its kind in the nation. The model program was developed by John Dodge, Conservation Educator for the NH Fish and Game Dept., and Jack George, Dir. of Physical Education for the NH Dept. of Education. It consisted of 8 hours or classroom teaching and 4 hours on the practice range. By 1954, over 50% of NH schools were participating.

Hunter Education Becomes Mandatory

In 1963, Hunter Education became mandatory for teenagers between 16 and 19 years of age. Courses were conducted in sportsmen’s clubs, community centers and schools by trained volunteer instructors using NH Fish and Game materials and supervised by the District Conservation Officer. The program’s success in reducing hunting incidents was such that by 1977 hunter education was made mandatory for all first-time hunters.

Federal Funds Lead to Program Expansion

In 1978, hunter education became eligible for Pittman Robertson (now the Wildlife Restoration Act) funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Volunteer instructor hours are used as a match for federal grant monies. The Bowhunter Education program was added in 1979, and the Trapper Education program soon followed in 1981.

The Owl Brook Hunter Education Center

By the mid-1990’s, it was clear that a facility was needed to further expand and support the NH Hunter Education program. Thanks to Jim Hall, hunter education coordinator, his assistant Randy Curtis, and staff members Pete Lester, Sean Williamson, Tom Flynn and hundreds of volunteer instructors, the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center was dedicated in 2004 in Holderness, NH. It includes a shotgun, small bore and archery ranges, 60-seat classroom, trapper cabin, map & compass course, and interpretive nature trails. The Center is used extensively for youth programs, hunter, bowhunter and trapper education classes, instructor training and specialty hunting seminars.