ATTENTION All Wisconsin Recreational Safety Students

New Requirement: All WI Recreational Safety Students are required to obtain a WI DNR Customer ID Number before the completion of any Recreational Safety Class and will also be required to provide that WI DNR Customer ID Number along with students personal information to the instructor.  You can obtain a WI DNR Customer ID Number 7AM to 10PM by calling the WI DNR Customer Service at 1-888-936-7463 or you can visit a WI DNR Service Center during their regular scheduled hours.  For WI DNR Service Center hours and locations go to dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/ServiceCenter..  Thank you.

Bow Hunter Education

Upcoming Courses

Any person born on or after January 1, 1973, is required to be certified in either basic Hunter Education or Bow Hunter Education before purchasing any hunting license, including an archery license.

Wisconsin has adopted the National Bowhunter Education Foundation's (NBEF) International Bowhunter Education Program which is acknowledged and accepted worldwide. Although Wisconsin's bowhunter education program is voluntary and a bowhunter education certificate is not currently required in order to bowhunt in this state, numerous other states and certain federal properties do require a bowhunter education certificate from a course approved by NBEF in order to bowhunt.

The Wisconsin bowhunter education course is NBEF approved and graduates receive a certificate that is accepted everywhere bowhunter certification is required.

Course Objective

To reduce the potential for hunting accidents, injuries and fatalities; to reduce the potential for conflict between hunters, landowners, and other resource users; and to promote safe, responsible, and ethical use of the environment and our resources.

Course Content

1. The history of modern day bowhunting and our hunting heritage
2. Responsibilities of bowhunters toward our environment, wildlife, landowners, and others
3. Preparing for the hunt - specific laws, clothing, and other equipment
4. Bowhunting Equipment selection and care - Tree stand safety
5. Marksmanship fundamentals
6. Bowhunting methods
7. Handling outdoor emergencies
8. Field care of harvested game

Who is elgible to take a class

Anyone of any age can take the class. Those that meet the course requirements will receive a safety education completion certificate.

However, it should be noted that persons younger than 12 may lose some of the benefits of the certification (small game hunting privilege, authorization to shoot an antler less deer during the first gun deer season after graduation) if they take the class sooner than age 12. The department encourages people to wait until they turn 12 within 6 months of completion of the course before taking it. Students with special needs must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the course to request special accommodations.

Length of Course

Minimum 10 hours. The average length is 18 hours.

Cost of Course

Beginning Monday October 3, 2005 the cost of course is $10 per student.

Class Availability

Varies depending on area of the state and time of the year. Go to our Upcoming Classes page to check latest availability.