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
