Guide to Hunter Mentor Programs

Scouring the internet in search of hunter mentor programs can be a pain, so we’ve done the legwork for you. Here’s our list of mentor hunting programs, state by state, as well as some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) new hunters may find helpful before they go afield in pursuit of game. We update this list as new programs become available, so check back frequently to make sure you don’t miss new opportunities to learn the tools of the trade.

States

Alabama | 205-339-5716
• outdooralabama.com/hunting

Alaska | 907-267-2534
• huntereducation.alaska.gov

Arizona | 602-942-3000
• azgfd.com/Hunting/MentoredCamps/

Arkansas | 800-364-4263
• agfc.com/en/get-involved/first-steps-outdoors/

California | 916-653-1235
• Programs: wildlife.ca.gov/hunter-education
• Apprentice Hunting Licenses: nrm.dfg.ca.gov/ApprenticeHunts/Default.aspx

Colorado | 303-291-7248
• cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/HunterOutreach.aspx

Connecticut | 860-424-3000
• ct.gov/deep/JuniorHunter

Delaware | 302-739-9910
• dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/HunterEd/Pages/HunterEd.aspx

Florida | 850-488-4676
• Mentor Program: myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/mentoring/
• Youth Program: myfwc.com/education/outdoor-skills/youth-hunting-program/

Georgia | 706-557-2335
• georgiawildlife.com/mentor

Idaho | 208-334-3700
• idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/passport

Illinois | 217-300-5352
• Illinois Learn to Hunt: publish.illinois.edu/hunttrapillinois/
• Apprentice License: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/pages/apprenticelicense.aspx

Indiana | 317-233-9382
• in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2701.htm

Iowa | 515-725-8200
• iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Hunter-Education/Learn-to-Hunt

Kansas | 620-672-5911
• Program Information: ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Hunting-Programs/Hunter-Recruitment-and-Retention-Effort
• Program: outdoormentors.org/
• Youth Hunts: ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Special-Hunts-Information

Kentucky | 800-858-1549 Ext. 4475; 502-330-8487
• Hunter’s Legacy Program: fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Hunter%27s-Legacy.aspx
• Field to Fork Program: fw.ky.gov/Pages/FieldtoFork.aspx

Louisiana | 337-948-0255
• wlf.louisiana.gov/louisiana-hunting-heritage-program

Maine | 207-287-8000
• maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/licenses-permits/hunting-license.html

Maryland | 877-620-8DNR (8367)
• Program: dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/hunt_trap/Mentored-Hunt-Program.aspx
• Apprentice Hunting Licenses: dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/Pages/About-the-Apprenticeship-Hunting-License.aspx

Massachusetts | 508-398-6305
• mass.gov/service-details/learn-to-hunt-programs

Michigan | 517-284-WILD (9453)
• michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79147_82092---,00.html

Minnesota | 888-MINNDNR (646-6367); 651-296-6157
• dnr.state.mn.us/safety/apprentice/index.html

Mississippi | 601-432-2400
• mdwfp.com/license/apprentice-license/

Missouri | 573-751-4115
• huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-skills-training/apprentice-hunter-program

Montana | 406-444-2535
• Apprentice Hunter Program: fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/all/apprenticeHunter/default.html
• Youth Hunts: fwp.mt.gov/hunting/youthOpportunities.html

Nebraska | 402-471-0641
• outdoornebraska.gov/mentoredhunts/

Nevada | 775-688-1555
• Advanced Hunter Education: ndow.org/Education/Hunter_Ed/Classes/
• Apprentice Hunting Licenses: ndow.org/Apprentice-License-Gives-Beginners-Chance-Experience-Hunting/

New Hampshire | 603-271-3421
• wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/apprentice.html

New Jersey | 609-292-2965
• state.nj.us/dep/fgw/hntlic_apprentice.htm

New Mexico | 888-248-6866
• wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/mentored-youth-hunter/

New York | 518-402-8966
• dec.ny.gov/outdoor/52495.html

North Carolina | 919-707-0031
• Hunting Heritage Program: ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Before-the-Hunt/Hunting-Heritage-Program
• Getting a Mentor: ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Before-the-Hunt/Becoming-a-Hunter/Getting-a-Mentor
• Apprentice Permit: ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Before-the-Hunt/Hunting-Heritage-Apprentice-Permit

North Dakota | 701-328-6300
• gf.nd.gov/licensing/apprentice-license

Ohio | 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543)
• wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/hunting-trapping-and-shooting-sports/hunting-and-trapping-basics/

Oklahoma | 405-521-3851
• wildlifedepartment.com/education

Oregon |800-720-ODFW (6399); 503-947-6000
• dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/index.asp

Pennsylvania | 717-787-4250
• pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Hunting/Pages/MentoredHuntingPrograms.aspx

Rhode Island | 401-222-4700
• eregulations.com/rhodeisland/hunting/special-youth-paraplegic-hunting-opportunities/

South Carolina | 803-734-3833
• dnr.sc.gov/licenses/genlicense.html

South Dakota | 605-223-7660; 512 389-4800
• Youth Program: gfp.sd.gov/youth-mentored/
• Big-Game Mentor Program: gfpga.sd.gov/hunting/big-game/deer/mentored.aspx

Tennessee | 615-781-6500
• Apprentice Hunting Licenses: tn.gov/twra/hunting/hunter-education.html
• Tennessee Outdoor Youth Summit: tn.gov/twra/stay-connected/tennessee-outdoor-youth-summit.html; 731-415-0641

Texas | 800-792-1112; 512-389-4800
• Mentored Hunting Workshops: tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/mentored_hunting_workshops/
• Youth Hunting Program: tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/youth_hunting/tx_youth_hunt_program/; 800-460-5494

Utah | 801-538-4700
• wildlife.utah.gov/hunting-in-utah/1332-utah-hunter-mentoring-program.html

Vermont | 802-828-1000
• Youth Hunting: vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt/youth-hunting/
• Licenses: vtfishandwildlife.com/licenses-and-lotteries/license-center/other-licenses/mentored-hunting-license; 802-828-1190, 802-828-1191

Virginia | 866-721-6911
• dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/apprentice-license/

Washington | 360-902-2200
• wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/he_deferral.html

Wisconsin | 888-936-7463
• dnr.wi.gov/education/outdoorSkills/mentor.html

Wyoming | 307-777-4542; 307-777-4538
• wgfd.wyo.gov/Education/Hunter-Mentor-Program

Non-Governmental Organizations

National Rife Assocaition (NRA)
• Youth Hunter Education Camp (YHEC): yhec.nra.org/; 800-492-4868
• NRA Online Hunter Education Course (NRAHE): nra.yourlearningportal.com/Course/HuntersEdActivityInfoPage

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
• uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/bow/Pages/default.aspx; 1-877-BOWOMAN (269-6626)

Camp Compass
• campcompass.org; 610-295-5567

Delta Waterfowl
• deltawaterfowl.org/mentor/; 888-987-3695

Ducks Unlimited
• ducks.org/get-involved/youth-programs; 800-45DUCKS (453-8257), 901-758-3825

Families Afield
• familiesafield.org; 800-392-8683

Fathers in the Field
• fathersinthefield.com; 844-ISAIAH1 (472-4241)

Freedom Hunters
• freedomhunters.org; 303-884-0059

Honored American Veterans Afield
• honoredveterans.org

Hope for the Warriors
• hopeforthewarriors.org; 877-2HOPE4W (246-7349)

National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
• letsgohunting.org/plusonemovement; 203-426-1320

National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
• nwtf.org/about/hunting-heritage; 800-THE-NWTF (843-6983), 803-637-3106

Pass It On! Outdoor Mentors
• outdoormentors.org; 316-290-8883

Pheasants Forever
• pheasantsforever.org/Youth/Youth-Mentored-Hunts.aspx; 877-773-2070, 651-773-2000

Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA)
• qdma.com/recruit; 800-209-DEER (3337)

Quail Forever
• quailforever.org/Youth/Youth-Mentored-Hunts.aspx; 866-457-8245; 651-209-4981

Operation Pay It Forward
• opif4ourvets.org

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)
• rmef.org/Conservation/HuntingHeritagePrograms.aspx; 800-225-5355 Ext. 264

Shoot Like a Girl
• shootlikeagirl.com

Sisterhood of the Outdoors
• sisterhoodoutdoors.com; 706-847-6338

Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation
• wwiaf.org; 813-938-1390