DNR needs volunteer hunter education instructors

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers passionate about promoting safe, responsible and ethical hunting practices to serve as hunter education instructors. Volunteer opportunities are available in all parts of the state, the agency announced in a press release.

Since the program’s creation in 1967, more than 20,000 volunteer instructors have trained and certified more than one million hunters across Wisconsin. These efforts have helped make hunting a much safer activity, including a 95 percent decrease in hunting-related incidents since the start of the program, the release states.

“The success of the hunter education program over the years has been a direct result of the exceptional quality and dedication of the instructors we’ve had teaching classes,” said Michael Weber, DNR hunter education administrative warden. "Volunteer instructors have been, and continue to be, the backbone of this critical program. Whether you’ve been hunting for years or are new to the sport, please consider applying.”

In addition to shaping the future of the state’s hunting tradition, becoming a volunteer instructor is a great way to obtain hands-on teaching experience, work closely with DNR staff and engage with your local community.

There are two ways to become a certified volunteer hunter education instructor. Interested volunteers can either serve as apprentices under a sponsoring instructor for at least two complete courses or attend a certification training session hosted by a DNR Outdoor Skills Trainer. Once certified, the DNR provides volunteer instructors with all the materials and equipment required to teach a hunter education course. Instructors must only teach one class every three years to remain certified. For more information on becoming a volunteer instructor, please contact the outdoor skills trainer in your area.