Wisconsin Learn to Hunt Programs

by Josh Kucko

 

Hunting has been a long time recreational activity as well as a tradition for several outdoorsmen in the Wisconsin area.  Hunting is not only about going out and killing something, it is more the enjoyment of the great outdoors.  You gather great knowledge watching wildlife and being outdoors.  It is not only a passion for people, but a way of life.  Hunting has been around for ages as a means of obtaining food, but this is not the only means of hunting today.  Hunting today is a way to bond with family, friends, and nature.  Hunting is something that is not part of several individuals’ lives, and they have the right to choose.  With the Learn to Hunt programs in Wisconsin, anyone that may have never had the chance to go out and enjoy the outdoors through hunting now have the opportunity to go with someone that has experience to help guide them.  Learn to Hunt programs help involve a great number of youth, as well as adults, in the great outdoors.

Although my family grew up hunting and enjoying the outdoors, there were some aspects of hunting for certain animals that I never got to learn until I did the Learn to Hunt Program.  Bear was not something my family had hunted for, so I was fortunate to be part of a youth bear hunt in 2007.  I was always interested in bear hunting but had never had the opportunity to go before this program.  

I was excited for my new experience of black bear hunting.  I applied to join the youth bear hunt and had my name drawn.  When my name was drawn, I was assigned to a mentor who has hunted black bear for several years and was looking to help involve the youth.  At first I was a little bit intimidated by the new experience, but I felt safe with my mentor.  Before my hunt, my mentor and I got together and talked about bear hunting.  We discussed tactics used to hunt bear, regulations involved, dog training, and he answered any questions that I had.  After we had the talk, I knew that this hunt was not only about shooting a bear, but about learning how to hunt and appreciate the outdoors.  When the hunt arrived, it was a tough first day of only seeing a sow and cubs.  The main point of the first day was that I had a blast and couldn’t wait to get out again.  The second day was a lot of hard work, but my patience paid off.  It took most of the morning to tree a bear with the dogs, but I finally did it.  It was then I was able to get my first black bear.  It was not only a terrific black bear, but an unforgettable experience with the outdoors.

After hunting black bear for my first time, I couldn’t be more grateful for the WDNR for setting up Learn to Hunt programs for the state of Wisconsin.  Learn to Hunt programs cover hunting for all kinds of animals, including deer, ducks, various small game, turkey, bear, and more.  The ability of a person to sign up for a Learn to Hunt program not only gives that person an experience that they have never been able to experience before, but also allows them to gain a greater appreciation of the outdoors.  Since I participated in the youth black bear hunt, I have begun to apply for a future black bear tag.  Hunting is not just about killing an animal, but creating a greater appreciation of the outdoors that can be passed on through generations and become a family tradition.