BECOMING A HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR

If you are interested in improving safe and ethical sportsmanship in the field and furthering the education of responsible wildlife conservation, we need your help! WGFD is always looking for new Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors.

Hunter Education is a legal certification, and to teach Hunter Education in Wyoming, you must be a certified instructor. Read the position description to find out what is involved with becoming an instructor.

Are you interested in having Hunter Education in your school instead? Learn how to incorporate Hunter Education into your classroom.

EXPECTATIONS FOR VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTORS

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach as a team of 2 or more instructors.
Reserve the venue for all dates of the class.
Set up and manage class registration through the Game and Fish Event Manager website.
Create the course schedule and coordinate teaching with other instructors.
Teach required lessons for the course to all ages.
Administer firearm handling practical.
Administer a 50-question test.
Coordinate and execute logistics for a range day, if desired
Manage roster, and report final grades and scores for legal certifications.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Help with venue logistics.
Help manage class registration through the Game and Fish Event Manager website.
Help with a classroom set up and clean up.
Help administer the firearm handling practical.
Help administer and grade the final exam.
Help submit final course report for legal records.

TIME COMMITMENT

Teach or assist with at least one 12-18 hour course every two years.
Attend occasional meetings or training workshops hosted by Game and Fish Hunter Ed Program.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING AS AN INSTRUCTOR

POSITIVELY INFLUENCE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHILE PASSING ON WYOMING’S HUNTING HERITAGE.

ASSIST/MENTOR NEW HUNTERS WITH FIREARM SAFETY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT & ETHICS.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO WYOMING WILDLIFE MAGAZINE.

EARN AWARDS BASED ON HOURS AND YEARS OF SERVICE VOLUNTEERING.

QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNT PROGRAMS FOR MERCHANDISE THROUGH MULTIPLE RETAIL COMPANIES.

HOW TO GET CERTIFIED AS A HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be 14-17 years old for Junior Instructors.

Must be at least 18 years old for all other Volunteer Instructors.

Must complete all applications and pass all background checks.

Have a valid Hunter Education card (from WY or another state).

Have experience in the use of firearms, hunting and outdoor skills.

Must have an email address and access to a computer.

Fill out the Hunter Education Instructor application packet with a waiver for a wildlife violations check at no cost to you.

Complete and pass a federal criminal background check at no cost to you through a secure online form.
• Once the Hunter Education Coordinator receives the Application Packet, a secure link for the background check will be emailed to you.
• A wildlife violation background check will also be completed.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS

If the applicant passes all background checks, the training assistant instructors must complete the Policy and Protocol training with Game and Fish Hunter Education Coordinator.
Assistant Instructors are certified to help in hunter education classrooms at this point.

HUNTER/BOWHUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

If the applicant passes all background checks, the training instructor must complete the policy, protocol and curriculum training at a Hunter Education Workshop.
New Hunter Education Workshops are offered in late winter and early spring.

2023 NEW INSTRUCTOR ACADEMIES ARE:

• January 25-27, 2024 - Laramie
• February 8-10, 2024 - Green River
• August 8-10, 2024 - Casper

Travel may be required. Compensation may be provided.

If you miss a 2024 Academy, we will still accept applications, but you will have to wait until 2025 for the next academy.

Participate in at least one full hunter education class with an approved mentor instructor.
• Learn to submit paperwork for hunter education classes.
• Lead at least one unit, completing a lesson plan and activity for the unit.
• Mentoring instructors will complete and submit an evaluation of the trainee instructor.
• Additional training is required to be certified to lead an Internet Completion Course.

If you have any questions about becoming a certified instructor, please contact our Hunter Education Coordinator, Katie Simpson at (307) 777-4542 or email her at Katie.Simpson@wyo.gov

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