By DNR Conservation Warden Paul Metzger
Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December 2025 eNewsletter.
Now that we are we are in the annual holiday season, I have a winning gift idea for that hard-to-buy someone on your present list.
It is the gift of your time to share your expertise, enthusiasm and passion for hunting with a friend, family member, colleague or even a community leader. There is safe fun to be had in Wisconsin’s great outdoors.
This association’s members already have a well-known dedication of support of the natural resources, aquatic habitats and birds. If you have the time this season, consider enjoying a 2026 outing with someone who has never participated in a hunt or scouting for a hunt.
Or volunteer as an assistant for a hunter safety class or try teaching one yourself.
Not sure how to start? You could contact one of the DNR outdoor skills trainers.
Kayla Sasse, one of five DNR outdoor skills trainers, is a safety specialist who coordinates the recreational safety and education programs taught to youth and adults statewide. Courses are taught by hundreds of volunteer safety instructors and focus on four areas: ATV-UTV, snowmobile, boating and hunting.
The outdoor skills trainer’s primary job is to work with the volunteer safety instructors,” Sasse said. “We provide the curriculum — it’s standardized.” That makes teaching the safety classes easier for the instructors.
Volunteer safety instructors teach in each region of the state. Some specialize in one area of expertise while others teach in two, three or even all four areas.
Sasse says the outdoor skills trainers support each instructor so they can be most effective and enjoy providing a valuable service in the name of safe outdoor recreation.
If you, or someone you know, is interested, visit this DNR webpage to learn more about being a volunteer safety instructor: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Volunteer/OutdoorSkillsTrainers
Volunteering or taking a friend on a hunt just once could be enough to ignite a person’s interest to pursue the fun.
You might end up with another hunting buddy to share adventures.
It has always brought me the most joy to share my passions with others, and I encourage you to consider it, too.
Stay safe and enjoy the season.
