Learn to Bear Hunt Program

Beginning in 2005, the Wisconsin DNR began offering Learn to Hunt opportunities. The Learn to Bear Hunt Program (LTBH) is another tool to expose novice hunters to the hunting experience and recruit new hunters into the sport. The Learn to Bear Hunt Program represents the opportunity of a lifetime for a novice hunter.

Working in partnership with many dedicated bear hunters and local conservation organizations, successful Learn to Bear Hunt events have been held across the northern half of Wisconsin in the past few years.

The goals of the program are:

1. To provide a bear hunting experience to novice hunters who would not otherwise get that chance to hunt bear other than through the Learn to Hunt Program.
2. To provide a safe and memorable first-time introductory bear hunting experience to novice hunters through experienced and qualified mentors.
3. To teach novice hunters about the habits of bear, how to read bear sign, check baits, track and handle hounds, use proper shooting techniques and safely handle firearms.
4. To provide an opportunity for experienced bear hunters to contribute to overall conservation efforts by giving something back to the hunting heritage through recruiting the next generation of safe, legal, ethical and responsible hunters to carry on the bear hunting tradition.

Learn to Hunt - Bear Participants

Several Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens and wildlife managers, in partnership with local mentors, will be hosting a limited number of Learn to Hunt events across northern Wisconsin.

Participant applications will be accepted until May 30, 2009. After the deadline, a random drawing will be held from a pool of all participant applications to determine who will be provided one of the limited Learn to Bear Hunt opportunities.

If you are interested in being a participant in a Learn to Bear Hunt event please review the guidelines [PDF 38KB]. We are no longer accepting applications for the Learn to Hunt - Bear Program. Please check back next year for more information.

Learn to Bear Hunt Mentors

One thing is clear when it comes to recruiting the next generation of hunters – it takes a hunter to make a hunter.

We need qualified mentors to assist conducting Learn to Bear Hunt events. Mentors are the most important ingredient to the future of bear hunting in Wisconsin. If you have 5 years of bear hunting experience and want to share your hunting experience with a novice hunter, please review the guidelines [PDF 38KB], complete the Mentor Application [PDF 30KB] and mail it anytime.

Questions for Wildlife Management