MADISON, Wis. — Those looking to brush up on their hunting skills or begin their hunting journey will have an opportunity to take a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources workshop ahead of the fall season.
The DNR announced Friday they’ll host Learn to Hunt workshops aimed at helping hunters “become safer, more independent and ethical.”
“Wisconsin has some of the most abundant hunting opportunities in the nation, and with a little guidance, anyone can access great hunting locations and use a variety of hunting strategies to have a safe and enjoyable hunting experience,” said Quinn Erdmann, DNR hunting and shooting sports program assistant. “We are here to help anyone unsure of where to get started or what their first step should be.”
All workshops will be open to the public. Each one is designed for specific skill levels and for different interests.
For beginners, there are multi-day comprehensive Hunter Education Classes. The classes teach students hunter responsibility and safety through lectures, discussions and more. At the end, students take an exam and complete a hands-on assessment.
Anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must complete one of these courses to purchase a hunting license in the state, according to the DNR. However, there are some exception, which can be found online.
For those looking for a specific type of hunting, there are one-day workshops. Topics for these workshops include shot-gunning, archery, pheasant, squirrel, deer, grouse, rabbit-hunting, hands-on deer butchering and more. You can find a list of the upcoming courses here.
Many of the programs are hosted by qualified volunteer mentors from local hunting clubs and other state organizations.
The archery and crossbow deer hunting and the wild turkey hunting season both start on Sept. 16. Regular gun deer hunting begins on Nov. 18 and runs through Nov. 26. You can find a full list of season dates on the DNR website.