Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Course - Environment and Conservation

Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Course

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a person must complete the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course (FS/HE) to become eligible to hunt game with a firearm. Participants may take the course starting at age 14.

The minimum age to hunt small game in this province is 16. To hunt big game a person must be at least 18 years of age.

NOTE: Conditions for possession and use of non-restricted firearms apply to minors under 18 years of age. For further information, contact the Canadian Firearms Program in Ottawa or call 1-800-731-4000.

The FS/HE Course has two parts:

Part A - Canadian Firearms Safety Course
Part B - Hunter Education Course
Where and when can I take the course?

Part A - Canadian Firearms Safety Course

Part A is actually the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. It teaches participants the basics of firearms safety and the laws related to firearms storage, handling and transportation. By completing Part A, a person may also apply for a Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence to obtain non-restricted firearms.*

* Regulations under the Firearms Act (Justice Canada), require a person to obtain a Firearms Possession and Acquisition Certificate to possess and acquire firearms. Applications for Firearms Licences are available at local postal offices. For more information about firearms licensing, please contact the Canadian Firearms Program in Ottawa at 1-800-731-4000.

Part B - Hunter Education Course

Part B teaches participants aspects of wildlife conservation and management, hunting laws, hunter ethics and responsibility, outdoor safety and survival techniques and other skills used for hunting. By completing both Part A and Part B, the participant meets the provincial requirement to obtain provincial licences to hunt with a firearm.

The Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course is recognized by all Canadian provinces. Hunters traveling to other parts of Canada should carry their Outdoor Identification Card.

Note: Some provincial jurisdictions may require additional hunter training and/or testing for new residents moving into their province. For more information, please contact the Conservation Services Section, Wildlife Division address listed on this page.

Each eligible resident hunter receives an ID card from the Wildlife Division. Hunters must carry their card, along with the appropriate hunting licence, while hunting with a firearm.

Successful FS/HE Course participants also receive annual applications for the annual Big Game Licence draw under the following conditions:

must be 18 by Aug. 31 in the year the big game licence is valid.
must be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador .
must not be prohibited from possessing firearms by Order of Court.

Where and when can I take a course?

To register for a FS/HE course, please contact a College of the North Atlantic campus near you. Courses are offered throughout the year.

For more information about the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course, please contact:

Wildlife Division
Conservation Services Section
P.O. Box 2007
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 7S1
Phone: (709) 637-2006
Fax: (709) 637-2032