MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people from all walks of life to give hunting a shot this year, and sign up for a hunter safety course. DNR officials say it’s never too early to think about completing your hunter education course or retaking it as a refresher.
“Since hunter education started back in 1967, we’ve seen a 92 percent decrease in hunting accidents,” said DNR hunter education administrator Jon King. “It’s very important to help the young hunter, or new hunter, just understand some of the things that could get them in trouble was they are out in the field and enjoying hunting.”
This year, there are three options for hunter safety courses: Traditional classes, Internet and Field Day, and fully online.
The traditional courses are exactly what have been offered in-person in the past.
“You get the opportunity to work with firearms and see some of these presentations, hands-on,” King said.
While the Internet and Field Day is a mix of in-person and online learning.
“It allows you to do some of your work online, and then come in and do all the same thing. You’re handling firearms, there’s a testing process. When you walk out of there, you gain the essential skills needed to make yourself a safer hunter in the field,” King said.
While the online program is completely virtual.
“The all online program is not for everyone, I do have to say that. It is, in essence, kind of like reading a book…There is no hands on opportunity. So if you’re a young or novice firearms user, this may not be the best option for you,” King told WTAQ News. “With COVID, it may be the only option available to you. So as a parent or younger person, just make sure that you get out and work with somebody that has some experience before you take the field with a firearm.”
More than 20,000 people take hunter education courses in Wisconsin each year. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, is required to have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license, unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law.
All course options, links to enroll and cost information are outlined on the DNR’s website.
