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MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for 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 and 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 Mentored Hunting Program gives novice hunters a chance to try hunting without first completing a Hunter Safety course. No special steps are required to purchase a mentored hunting license. Go to gowild.wi.gov to buy a hunting license and any necessary stamps. If the account does not have a valid Hunter Safety Certificate on record, the license will automatically print as “mentored only.”
Anyone hunting with a mentored-only license must stay within arm's reach of a licensed hunter (mentor) over age 18, must have all required hunting approvals for the applicable season (license, permit, tag, etc.) and must comply with all other hunting laws, including season, bag limit and weapon regulations.
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Under the Mentored Hunting Law, mentors may have any valid, non-expired Wisconsin hunting approval, regardless of the type of game pursued by the mentee. Learn more at dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/mentor .
Wisconsin also has in-person "Learn to Hunt" classes for adults. Go to
dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/lth
to find out where and when.
