By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2021 Newsletter edition.
Wisconsin’s Learn to Hunt (LTH) programs have been around since 1997, inspired by the Wisconsin Student Hunter Program launched in 1993 by several UW Wildlife Ecology professors. The WDNR adapted that program into their “Learn to Hunt” programs designed to recruit new hunters. While the first LTH programs focused on turkeys and pheasants, they quickly expanded over the years to include deer, bear and waterfowl.
Waterfowl cleaning demo at the 2019 WWA Learn to Hunt
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Green Bay Chapter sponsored and held the organization’s first Learn to Hunt Goose program in the State in 2009 and is presently in its 12th year in holding their annual LTH waterfowl event. Well over 100 students have gone through our program to date.
The LTH program introduces novices to hunting in a controlled environment by pairing them with mentors on a one-on-one basis. After at least four hours of classroom and field instruction in topics like gun safety, ethical shooting, regulations, identification and finding and setting up a hunting site, students and mentors go out into the field to experience their first hunt, first hand!
The requirement in place to attend a LTH program is that the student be at least ten years old and have never received a hunting license for the species being hunted. Most organizers (including WWA) charge nothing for the course. Mentors must have at least five years experience hunting the chosen game and be approved by WDNR.
The program provides a free hunting license for the student and some of the best instruction and guidance from some of the most qualified and respected hunters in their field!
What does it take to start a LTH program in your area?
- A place to hold the classroom and field training session (i.e. trap or sportsman club).
- Mentors to assist students.
- A place to take the student hunting in the field (mentors help here).
- A certified Hunter Safety Instructor to present (WDNR can assist here).
- Willing and interested students (start small, there is a huge need here).
- Support from experts in the field (WWA and WDNR can assist here).
WWA has been sponsoring a LTH Waterfowl program since 2009 and has a coordinator for the program who is willing to help any interested organizer to set up a program in their area. WWA can help guide you through the WDNR application process paperwork and develop a program to fit your needs. Applications must be in at least 30 days prior to the planned event.
WWA has seen that their Waterfowl LTH programs are very well received and attended. All are filled almost immediately after advertising. THE NEED IS THERE, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP IN MAKING MORE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
We need more organizers with a passion for waterfowling and their interest to provide something back to the sport they enjoy. And, we need mentors to provide hands on training and guidance to the next generation of waterfowlers in this state.
Perhaps an opportunity to attend and observe the Green Bay chapter’s planned LTH program this fall will help to answer many questions or concerns for new organizers. Please contact me if you have an interest in that regard.
Interested in helping? Fill out our volunteer form online or please call or write to me at (920) 660-2773 or burben@netnet.net and we will try to match interests and needs.
Although WDNR did not approved any Spring 2021 LTH programs due to the pandemic, we are very hopeful that fall LTH programs will begin to be approved very soon!
The Green Bay Chapter’s LTH Waterfowl program is tentatively planning it’s 12th annual program on October 15-16, 2021. The program begins late afternoon on Friday and concludes with a mentored hunt on Saturday. Several spots are still available, if interested, please contact me as soon as possible.