Joining the hunt: Game and Fish programs help newcomers get into hunting

Posted 9/3/15

But not everyone has the opportunity to learn how to hunt from an experienced relative or friend. This is where Wyoming Game and Fish is stepping in to provide a chance to learn the sport of hunting and enjoy another aspect of Wyoming’s outdoor …

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Joining the hunt: Game and Fish programs help newcomers get into hunting

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Unlike other sports, hunting requires more than just buying the equipment to participate. Newcomers need guidance from someone experienced to teach them the ins and outs of hunting effectively, legally, and most importantly, safely.

But not everyone has the opportunity to learn how to hunt from an experienced relative or friend. This is where Wyoming Game and Fish is stepping in to provide a chance to learn the sport of hunting and enjoy another aspect of Wyoming’s outdoor recreation.

“This all started because we are seeing a decline in the number of hunters and fishermen,” said Game and Fish information and education specialist Tara Hodges.

The Hunter Mentor Program allows a person who has not taken a hunter education course to basically apply for a special authorization to hunt as long as they are with a mentor.

“The point of the program is we didn’t want hunter education to be a barrier for those who are new to hunting,” Hodges said. “It allows them to have a hunting experience before committing to the coursework for the program.”

There’s no coursework or qualifications for the mentoring program, and registration can be done online at wgfd.wyo.gov.

“It is basically whomever wants to hunt with a firearm in Wyoming,” Hodges said.

Legal specifications still apply, such as a minumum age of 12 years required for youth to hunt big game. But, if a younger child wants to go bird hunting, that would be an ideal opportunity to use the mentor program — and the certificate is good for a full year.

The experienced hunter acting as mentor needs to meet certain qualifications. Mentors are required to be at least 18 years old, and they must have completed the hunter education program, hold a valid Wyoming hunting license and sign an authorization form.

Mentors are limited to one hunter at a time, but for family cases a parent can mentor multiple people at a time.

“We ask that the mentor maintain direct supervision when in the field,” Hodges said.

Aspiring hunters with no family or friends involved in the sport or who are unable to provide a mentorship, Game and Fish plans to eventually create a mentoring program where hunters are paired up with someone in need of mentoring.

“We have put a lot of effort and energy into hunter recruitment and education for some time,” Hodges said.

This is where their other program comes into play. The Forever Wild Families program is gaining steam as a means of recruiting new hunters.

“We are targeting folks with little or no experience,” Hodges said.

Over the course of a year, participants go either hunting or fishing, based on their interests.

“Forever Wild Families is more involved, and we work with mentors in other programs,” Hodges said.

There are no deadlines to apply for the program, and participants can sign up any time of the year.

“We are wrapping up the second year of the program right now, and it has been going fabulous,” Hodges said. “We had a lot of success and had some families go through the program that enjoyed their experiences.”

The Forever Wild Families program is different from regular hunter recruitment, because it takes the entire family unit and teaches the skills necessary to hunt and fish in Wyoming with the ultimate goal of participating independently, Hodges said. This means knowing everything from gun safety, rules and laws, to where to go hunting.

In some cases, the equipment can be provided, she said.

“It lets them get a handle on what they like and don’t like so much, so they can try it without making an investment in fly fishing or elk hunting,” Hodges said. “The idea is that, if we have the whole family involved, they can carry on throughout time with their family, so we don’t just take the kids and teach them how to use a shotgun — we are teaching the entire family the safety skills and marksmanship, and then hunting with them so they can recreate the experience on their own.”

As of late August, 6,709 people had registered for the Hunter Mentoring program since it began in 2008, according to Tristanna Bickford, who does conservation education for the Wyoming Game and Fish.

So far, 385 people were signed up for the mentoring program, and more are expected to register as hunting season approaches.

Participation has been on the rise in recent years, with 1,287 participants in 2014. Following are the numbers of participants per year:

• 2014: 1,287

• 2013: 916

• 2012: 845

• 2011: 810

• 2010: 879

Out of all past participants, youth and young adults represent the majority. The following are the age demographic breakdowns for the Hunter Mentor program:

• 10 and under: 624

• 11-20: 2,855

• 21-30: 1,774

• 31-40: 993

• 41-50: 372

• 51-60: 63

• 61 and over: 28

“I thought there would be more in Wyoming,” Hodges said.

To participate in the Forever Wild Families program, contact Hodges at the Cody Game and Fish Office.  

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