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MADISON – Wisconsin hunters planning for the late-year seasons should register now for required hunter education certificate courses to avoid being sidelined due to lack of planning.
“Nearly all of the volunteer hunter education instructors are hunters themselves and enjoy hunting in the fall,” says Conservation Warden Tim Lawhern, who also serves as the state’s hunting education administrator. “The hunter education program offers about 1,200 courses every year, but very few of them are offered from October through December.”
Every year Lawhern fields calls two weeks before the gun-deer season with hunter-hopefuls looking to fulfill the mandatory hunter education course. “More than 99 percent of our courses have already been offered well before the gun-deer season,” he says.
Anyone born on or after Jan.1, 1973, must have completed a hunter education course and show the certificate to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin.
To find a course, visit the Department of Natural Resources Web page, [dnr.wi.gov]. Look under the heading of Recreational Safety Course – Upcoming Classes. If unsuccessful, check back as courses are added to the listing as instructors alert the DNR.
“In Wisconsin, we’ve reduced hunting accidents by 90 percent since the program began,” Lawhern says. “Hunting is safe — and getting safer — because of the volunteer instructors who teach hunter education and the number of our hunters who have now graduated from our courses. Sign up now while courses are being offered in your area.
“Remember, safe hunting is no accident,” he says.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern (608) 266-1317
I live in the Kenosha area my son lives in St. Germain he turned 10 this June. I pick him up every other weekend, heres my dilema. We have a hunting camp in the U.P. of Michigan, in Michigan kids can start legally hunting on private land at the age of 10, with a hunters safety card. Here in Wisconsin they have to be 12, does anyone know if he can take the course here in WI and still get his card even though he is only 10? If so does anyone know of any Saturday classes this summer in the Greater Milwaukee/ Kenosha area? Thanks hopefully someone can help. Todd