Hunting and angling volunteer mentors

Who are the Volunteer Mentors

Volunteer mentors are the key to having successful educational programs. Serving as a mentor can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your hunting career. The old saying goes, "it takes a hunter to make a hunter." This means that it's challenging to learn how to hunt and fish without help.

Becoming a hunting or angling volunteer mentor is a great way to help someone learn the skills necessary to hunt and fish. These activities help people connect to the outdoors and participate in an important part of Wisconsin’s culture. By sharing your knowledge and passion, you can help keep hunting and angling participation strong into the future. The greatest need for the future of hunting is active, committed mentors.

What are the qualifications of a Volunteer Mentors

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Have five years of hunting experience.
3. Demonstrate a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to carry out program responsibilities.
4. Demonstrate a sincere interest in facilitating course ethics based on responsibility and respect.
5. Pass a background check and complete Form 4100-217 [PDF] and send it to the Learn to Hunt coordinator.

Optional certification methods

Become a certified mentor by attending a DNR approved mentor certification training program. Certification provides state liability and property damage insurance coverage to mentors while they are training others to hunt and fish.

One or two-day certification training sessions can be available upon requesting a training in your area by email - see contact information in sidebar.

Help someone learn to hunt or fish

1. Participate in a Hunt for Food or Fishing for Dinner program as an instructor or mentor.
2. Become a certified mentor by participating in the State of Wisconsin's Mentor Certification Training Program.
3. Commit 3-5 days (or more) each year to accompany someone on a hunting or fishing-related excursion. In addition to going hunting or fishing, consider:
   • helping your mentee pick out their own equipment at a retail store;
   • scouting out a potential new hunting or fishing location;
   • honing skills at a shooting range or cooking class; and
   • just being available to talk. Often, novice hunters and anglers need to talk through questions about ethics; rules and regulations; or etiquette encountering other hunters and anglers.
4. Most importantly, keep in mind that nobody can learn to hunt or fish in a day. There's a lot that goes into it. Check out the Outdoor Recreation Adoption Model to learn more.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, contact us by email - see contact information in sidebar.