Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for volunteers to teach and certify basic hunter education students across the state. This initiative seeks to engage individuals in teaching hunters of all experience levels practical outdoor skills.

Since its inception in 1967, Wisconsin's hunter education program has seen over 20,000 volunteers certify more than a million hunters. The program has played a role in reducing hunting safety incidents significantly.

The DNR emphasizes the importance of volunteer instructors, noting their dedication contributes to the success of the Hunter Education Program and helps preserve Wisconsin’s hunting heritage. Volunteers are required by law to complete basic hunter education if they plan to hunt independently.

"We rely on a statewide corps of about 4,000 volunteer hunter safety instructors," said a DNR representative. These instructors teach a standardized curriculum and administer necessary exams for certification. To qualify as an instructor, volunteers must either apprentice with current instructors or attend a mini-academy led by staff. They must also pass an exam based on the DNR’s Hunter Education Policy & Procedure Manual.

Certified instructors are expected to conduct at least one class and attend recertification workshops every three years.

In addition to basic hunter education, the DNR offers advanced programs in partnership with organizations like Becoming an Outdoors Woman and Pheasants Forever. "We are seeking volunteers to coordinate and instruct advanced programs as the next step from basic hunter education," added the spokesperson. These programs focus on outdoor skills such as deer processing, shooting basics, cooking wild game, and offer opportunities for mentored hunts outside normal seasons through the Learn to Hunt program.

Volunteers interested in these roles must have at least five years of experience hunting target species and complete pre-hunt instruction requirements. All potential volunteers will undergo a background check conducted by the DNR.

For those interested in becoming volunteer instructors or seeking further information, details can be found on the DNR website.