MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers to teach and certify basic hunter education students and teach hunters of all experience levels practical outdoor skills. Volunteer opportunities are available in all parts of the state.
Hunter education has a strong history in Wisconsin. Since the program’s creation in 1967, more than 20,000 volunteers have educated hunters in the state, certifying more than 1 million hunters. The program has also contributed to a significant decrease in hunting safety incidents.
The strength and success of the Hunter Education Program are due to the dedication and commitment of the volunteer instructors. The instructors deepen their connection to the state’s hunting heritage while shaping the next generation of Wisconsin hunters.
Basic Hunter Education
Basic hunter education is a firearm safety class that is required by law for anyone who intends to hunt independently. We rely on a statewide corps of about 4,000 volunteer hunter safety instructors to teach the standardized, internationally approved curriculum and administer the written and practical exams required for certification.
Volunteers must be certified to teach basic hunter education by apprenticing with an existing group of Hunter education instructors or attending a staff-led mini academy that takes volunteers through each lesson that instructors are expected to teach at a basic hunter safety class. Instructors must also pass an exam based on the DNR’s Hunter Education Policy & Procedure Manual.
Once certified, volunteer hunter education instructors should teach at least one class and attend an instructor recertification workshop every three years.
Advanced Hunter Education – Outdoor Skills And Learn to Hunt
Beyond basic hunter education, the DNR and our contracted partners (Becoming an Outdoors Woman, National Deer Association, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Pheasants Forever and Raised at Full Draw) offer additional instruction and continuing education to hunters of all experience levels. We are seeking volunteers to coordinate and instruct advanced programs as the next step from basic hunter education. Training is currently optional and provided upon request.
- Outdoor Skills – Outdoor Skills programs teach specific skills related to hunting and the outdoors, such as processing deer, shooting basics and cooking wild game. We have some lesson plans available for you to use as a guide, but if you have a hunting or shooting sports skill you can teach, reach out to our program staff to talk more.
- Learn To Hunt – Beyond Outdoor Skills programs, the Learn to Hunt program is a unique opportunity in Wisconsin that allows volunteers to host educational mentored hunts outside of the normal hunting season. The program is a valuable and rewarding educational opportunity offered by the DNR for both participants and volunteers looking to find greater connection in the outdoors.
- The Learn to Hunt program requires at least four hours of pre-hunt instruction to participants, and program volunteers must have at least five years of experience hunting the target species.
All hunter education volunteers must pass a DNR background check.
For more information about becoming a volunteer instructor or applying, visit the DNR website.
