Learn to Hunt Bear

Beginning in 2005, the Wisconsin DNR began offering Learn to Hunt Bear opportunities for novice hunters. The Learn to Hunt Bear Program is another tool to expose novice hunters to the hunting experience and recruit new hunters into the sport. The Learn to Bear Hunt Program represents the opportunity of a lifetime for a novice hunter.

Working in partnership with many dedicated bear hunters and local conservation organizations, successful Learn to Bear Hunt events have been held across the northern half of Wisconsin annually.

The goals of the program are:

1. To provide a bear hunting experience to novice hunters who would not otherwise get that chance to hunt bear other than through the Learn to Hunt Program.
2. To provide a safe and memorable first-time introductory bear hunting experience to novice hunters with experienced and qualified mentors.
3. To teach novice hunters about the habits of a bear, how to read bear signs, check baits, track and handle hounds, use proper shooting techniques and safely handle firearms.
4. To provide an opportunity for experienced bear hunters to contribute to overall conservation efforts by giving something back to the hunting heritage by recruiting the next generation of safe, legal, ethical and responsible hunters to carry on the bear hunting tradition.

Learn to hunt bear participants

Wisconsin DNR conservation wardens and wildlife managers, in partnership with qualified mentors, host a limited number of Learn to Hunt events across northern Wisconsin each year.

If you are interested in being a participant in a Learn to Hunt Bear event, please review the guidelines [PDF]. Applications to participate in the 2021 Learn to Bear Hunt event were due June 1, 2021.

Learn to hunt bear mentors

It takes a hunter to make a hunter. We need qualified mentors to assist in conducting Learn to Hunt Bear events. Mentors are the most important ingredient in the future of bear hunting in Wisconsin. If you have 5 years of bear hunting experience and want to share your hunting experience with a novice hunter, please review the guidelines [PDF], complete the Form 4100-217 mentor application [PDF] and mail it anytime.

For more information contact

State Learn to Hunt Coordinator

Tel: (608) 445-8168