ATTENTION All Wisconsin Recreational Safety Students

New Requirement: All WI Recreational Safety Students are required to obtain a WI DNR Customer ID Number before the completion of any Recreational Safety Class and will also be required to provide that WI DNR Customer ID Number along with students personal information to the instructor.  You can obtain a WI DNR Customer ID Number 7AM to 10PM by calling the WI DNR Customer Service at 1-888-936-7463 or you can visit a WI DNR Service Center during their regular scheduled hours.  For WI DNR Service Center hours and locations go to dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/ServiceCenter..  Thank you.

Hunter Education

There are two times during the year when hunter education courses are offered the most often; mid spring to early summer and then late summer to early fall. If a person waits to find the perfect course to attend they may find themselves not getting into one that was available earlier in the year. The majority of our volunteer instructors that teach these courses are hunters themselves, therefore they wish to be out hunting in the fall enjoying what they love so much. Go to our " Upcoming Courses" page to find a course near you. Courses are posted as soon as we are notified by our volunteers. Plan now to get into a course by checking this site often and enrolling in the first course you can get into.

For more information on becoming a Hunter Education volunteer instructor, visit our Hunter Education instructor page.

Now is The Time to Get Enrolled Into Hunter Education, Don't Wait!

Upcoming Classes

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1973 must have completed a hunter education course and show the certificate to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin. Wisconsin law requires anyone under the age of 16 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 while hunting or using a firearm for any purpose. However, young people who complete the hunter education course and receive a certificate are eligible to hunt and use firearms without supervision at age 14.

The hunter education course instills in students the knowledge and skill to be a responsible and safe hunter. The basic course consists of 10 lessons during a minimum of 10 hours. Students learn how hunting accidents are caused and how they can be prevented. Hunter responsibility and safety are stressed throughout the classes, which consist of lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, practical exercises, and individual study and activity assignments.

Hunter education graduates receive a certificate that is accepted in every state, Canadian Province, and Mexico.

For Wisconsin residents, a Wisconsin certificate is valid in lieu of a small game hunting license from the date of issuance until March 31 of the following year. Also, first time graduates may receive a free Special Antlerless Deer Carcass Tag. This carcass tag is valid for an antlerless deer during any open season with the appropriate license and corresponding weapon. This tag can only be obtained at a DNR Service Center.

CD-ROM/Internet Hunter Education Courses

The Department offers an optional method of certification for those that prefer a program other than the traditional hunter education course. If you would like to attend one of these courses, you must:

1. Pre-register with the instructor who is holding an Internet/CD-ROM certification field day course. As soon as an instructor plans a course, we will post it on our Upcoming Classes right away. TYPE: HUNTER CD/INTERNET. (If you leave the county blank, it will display all classes being held throughout Wisconsin. If you want to search only your county, enter your county in the County Search Field.)
2. The instructor will advise you where to obtain either the CD-ROM (if you do not have internet access) or provide you the internet address for the book portion of the course. You must complete the CD-ROM or Internet course before attending the field day.
3. Print the quizzes and bring them with you to the field day.
4. Attend the special field day specifically designed for this program. At the conclusion of the field day, you will take two exams; one written, and one practical.

Course Objective

To reduce the potential for hunting accidents, injuries and fatalities; to reduce the potential for conflict between hunters, landowners, and other resource users; and to promote safe, responsible, and ethical use of the environment and our resources.

Course Content

1. Our hunting heritage, hunting firearms, and equipment.
2. Understanding firearms; basic safety rules for hunters and shooters.
3. Proper care, cleaning, and storage of firearms and equipment.
4. Marksmanship fundamentals.
5. Responsibilities of hunters for our environment, wildlife, landowners, and others.
6. Wildlife identification and habits. USGS Waterfowl Identification guide (exits DNR site).
7. Field care of harvested game.
8. Handling outdoor emergencies.
9. Wildlife management; law enforcement and the student's role in the future of hunting.
10. How hunting accidents are caused and how they can be prevented.

Who is eligible to take a class

Anyone of any age can take the class. Those that meet the course requirements will receive a safety education completion certificate.

However, it should be noted that persons younger than 12 may lose some of the benefits of the certification (small game hunting privilege, authorization to shoot an antler less deer during the first gun deer season after graduation) if they take the class sooner than age 12. The department encourages people to wait until they turn 12 within 6 months of completion of the course before taking it. Students with special needs must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the course to request special accommodations.

Length of Course

Minimum 10 hours. The average length is 18 hours.

Cost of Course

Beginning Monday October 3, 2005 the cost of course is $10 per student.

Class Availability

Varies depending on area of the state and time of the year. There is at least one class per county per year. Go to our Upcoming Classes page to check latest availability.