Hunter Safety in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has ample hunting opportunities that stretch in every direction. The state is known for its thriving deer population. Hunter safety is taken very seriously in this land of lakes, forests and wetlands that are ideal conditions for hunting a variety of game.
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Requirements
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Wisconsin requires that anyone born after January 1, 1973 complete a hunter safety course and provide a social security number before receiving a license. This also applies to bow hunting and trapping. All Recreational Safety Students in Wisconsin must obtain a WI DNR Customer ID Number before completing any safety class, which needs to be provided to the course instructor.
Courses
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Hunter education courses are open to any age group, though persons younger than 12 will not be able to obtain licenses for small game or antlerless deer during the first season after their course graduation. Courses are offered throughout the state with schedules varying by county. The DNR offers bow and rifle hunting courses, as well as courses that focus on trapping, fishing and ATV and snowmobile safety. Length of course is a minimum of 10 hours with the average class spanning more than a period of 18 hours. Special needs students should contact the instructors two weeks before the scheduled class to arrange special accommodations.
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Objectives
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Course objectives include teaching students about hunting heritage, hunter responsibilities regarding wildlife and the environment as well as handling outdoor emergency situations. Students learn to clean, store and handle firearms and the fundamentals of marksmanship.
Instructors
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Hunter safety instructors are trained and certified volunteers who donate their time to educate more than 30,000 youth and adult hunters every year. Candidates are required to complete and submit an Apprentice Instructor Exam before receiving their certification, to test their knowledge of the Recreation Safety Instructor Procedures Manual. The manual also offers valuable teaching tips and methods for future instructors. As a general safety precaution, candidates are also required to undergo background checks.
Hunting Accidents
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While the number of incidents fluctuates from year to year, there are multiple deer hunting accidents involving firearms in the state of Wisconsin, with a variety of injuries covering the face, neck, hands and legs. The accidents range from self-inflicted wounds, same hunting party accidents or shootings involving bystanders from other hunting parties. A number of these accidents usually are fatal. Hunter safety courses can contribute to the prevention of these incidents.
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