The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging experienced hunters to share their skills and knowledge with novice hunters by becoming hunting mentors this fall. Mentored hunting is a one-on-one learning experience that can be a great way to help new hunters navigate hunting scenarios with the guidance of somebody with experience.
"Not only do we see interest in learning to hunt from people of all different backgrounds, but many established hunters ask us how to mentor someone new," said Emily Iehl, DNR Hunting & Shooting Sports Program Specialist. "Hunting involves skills that can be uncomfortable to teach and learn with someone you don't know, such as navigating the woods at night, handling firearms and processing the emotions that come with harvesting an animal. Knowing that you are with somebody you can trust is important."
The DNR offers a variety of opportunities to help facilitate mentored hunting for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Mentored Hunting Program is a one-on-one mentoring opportunity gives novice hunters a chance to try hunting without first completing a Hunter Safety course. There is also Learn to Hunt programs, which combine four-plus hours of classroom and field instruction before a novice goes hunting one-on-one with a qualified mentor.
Meanwhile, special youth hunting weekends for wild turkey, white-tailed deer and waterfowl allow youngsters to hunt and gain valuable experience without competing against adults. These youth hunting events are open to residents and non-residents 15 years of age and younger.
And the agency is also in need of volunteer hunter education instructors. Those individuals must be at least 18 years old, graduate from the Hunter Safety student course in Wisconsin, be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to carry out program responsibilities.
Categories: Wisconsin, Rural Lifestyle