Learn to Hunt

Participate in a Learn to Hunt Program

Learn to Hunt programs are hosted by qualified volunteer mentors from local hunting clubs, non-governmental organizations and other conservation organizations across Wisconsin. Lead instructors may request license and stamp waivers, season date waivers and sex restriction waivers for participants.

Upcoming Learn to Hunt programming can be found on the DNR Events Calendar.

How To Sign Up For A Learn To Hunt Class

1. Please ensure you can attend all class sessions.
2. If you find that you can't attend a class, please un-enroll or contact the class instructor immediately. We have limited space and high interest in Learn to Hunt classes – if you are unable to attend, please un-enroll so that somebody else can sign up.

To sign up for a Learn to Hunt event through GoWild:

1. Go to the GoWild website.
2. Log in to your GoWild account. You will be prompted to log in to your GoWild account and confirm your customer information.
   • If you do not yet have a GoWild account, click the link to “Create a New Account” next to the Log In button.
   • You will be prompted to enter your social security number, date of birth and driver's license information.
3. Navigate to your Safety Education Dashboard and click "manage safety education."
4. Under current classes, click "search for class."
5. Enter the course type (Learn to Hunt or Hunt for Food) and county of interest.
   • If a message pops up with "No classes found. Please try a different search criteria," this means that all classes are currently full. Please check back at a later date. 
6. Find the class you wish to join and click "enroll."
7. If enrollment was successful, a note will pop up with "Success! You have successfully enrolled in the class." You will receive an email confirmation from GoWild at the address listed in your GoWild account.
8. Instructors will be able to view the class roster and will reach out to you via email with additional information.

Participant Information

Any novice hunter or trapper may participate in a Learn to Hunt or Learn to Trap program. There is no minimum age requirement to participate in a Learn to Hunt or Learn to Trap program; however, the lead instructor may implement a minimum age requirement at their discretion.

All participants must create a Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number prior to the first hunting or trapping activity date. Novice participants may participate in more than one Learn to Hunt or Learn to Trap program and more than one program of the same species.

Participants are not required to have completed a hunter or trapper education class to participate in a Learn to Hunt or Learn to Trap program. Participation in a Learn to Hunt or Learn to Trap program does not grant the participant a hunter education or trapper education safety education certificate unless a safety education class is taught in conjunction with the Learn to Hunt program.

Hunting Gear And Equipment

Some Learn to Hunts provide hunting gear and equipment to use during the program, while others do not. Contact the lead instructor of the Learn to Hunt to inquire about what gear and equipment they may or may not be able to provide during the program.

Volunteer

All volunteers assisting with hunting and shooting sports programs must have at least five years of hunting experience and must complete a DNR background check.

Volunteer With Our Partner R3 Organizations

The DNR partners with Pheasants Forever, Pass It On! Outdoor Mentors, Raised at Full Draw, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman and The National Deer Association to offer educational hunting and shooting skills opportunities to the public. If you are interested in volunteering, contact one of our Partner R3 Coordinators.

Host Or Assist With A Learn To Hunt Program

Local organizations or groups of experienced hunters typically host Learn to Hunt programs for a group of novice participants. Through the Learn to Hunt program, you can request permission to host an educational hunt outside of the regular hunting season and waive other hunting regulations. Program rules require volunteers to provide four (or more) hours of classroom or field instruction before a novice goes hunting one-on-one with a mentor.

• If you're interested in hosting a Learn to Hunt, read more about the program requirements. Feel free to reach out to program staff with questions!
• If you're interested in assisting with a Learn to Hunt program, but not organizing a whole group on your own, let us know! We may be able to link you up with an existing group.

Learn to Hunt programs are particularly helpful for people who want to learn to hunt, but don't have a personal network of hunters who can teach them!

Teach An Outdoor Skill

We work with volunteers to help them teach specific outdoor skills related to hunting and shooting sports. This includes skills like processing deer, turkey calling, wingshooting and wild game cooking. Workshops are typically 4-6 hours in length. Please reach out to program staff if you have experience with an outdoor skill that you would like to share with others!

Become A Certified Hunter Safety Instructor 

Anyone who wishes to hunt on their own in Wisconsin must complete a Hunter Education course. We are always looking for volunteer Hunter Education Instructors to become trained in teaching the International Hunter Education curriculum. To attend an instructor training, please reach out to your regional Outdoor Skills Trainer. 

Become A Certified Hunter Education Instructor 

Applicants (lead instructors) must submit the Application and Authorization to Conduct an Educational Outdoor Skills Activity – Hunting or Trapping (Form 2300-260) request to the State Learn to Hunt Coordinator at least 30 days prior to the first hunting or trapping activity date. The applicant will be notified whether the application is approved or denied.

Resources For Volunteers

Use the documents below to supplement your hosted programs. 

• Best management practices for hosting outdoor skills programs.
• DNR photo release form.

Resources To Learn To Hunt

Are you interested in giving hunting a try? Check out these resources to help you get started.

• Sign up to get notified of future classes by email – select "Learn to Hunt" under the Hunting and Trapping topic. 
• Browse how-to videos at the International Hunter Education Association's Hunters Connect YouTube channel.
• Check out the following webinars produced by the Wisconsin DNR for people looking to get started hunting: 

Hunter Safety Certification

Learn the basics of firearm safety and keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by becoming hunter safety certified. Anyone who wishes to hunt on their own in Wisconsin must complete a Hunter Education course. 

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 must complete a hunter education course and have a hunter education safety certificate on file to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin. Learn more about hunter education courses.

Mentored Hunting Law

If you don't have a hunter education certification, you can still go hunting during the normal seasons as long as you have the appropriate authorizations and stay within arm's reach of a qualified mentor at all times. Learn more about Wisconsin's Mentored Hunting Program.

Buy Your License

Buy your hunting license online.