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What is the Hunter Mentor Program?
Hunting is a valued natural heritage in Wyoming - one that has been passed on from one generation to the next. If you were born on or after January 1, 1966, you must complete a hunter safety course before hunting in Wyoming. This program teaches hunter ethics, firearms and outdoor safety, along with other Game and Fish wildlife rules and regulations, and is an important learning experience for the new hunter. But some studies show that the hunter safety coursework may be a barrier that discourages some youths and adults from participating in a first-time hunting experience.
Wyoming's new hunter mentor program allows any person who has not yet received hunter education certification to apply for special authorization to hunt while being accompanied by a mentor. This allows a hunter to experience hunting before committing to the coursework required to complete hunter safety.
Who can be a hunter mentor?
Serving as a hunter mentor is a great way to recruit new hunters into the sport. It is also a chance for a seasoned hunter to give something back to the sport. Being a mentor can be a great experience, but carries with it some responsibilities. Mentors should be prepared to provide a safe and memorable first-time hunting experience by conducting themselves in a safe, legal, ethical and responsible manner at all times, so as to enhance the image of hunters and the sport of hunting. The mentor is responsible for making sure his or her mentee hunter understands all the appropriate hunting regulations, safe hunting practices and ethical considerations during any mentored hunting experience.
To participate in the hunter mentor program, a hunter mentor must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Possess a valid hunter education card or certificate while in the field with the
mentee.
3. Possess a valid Wyoming hunting license while in the field with the mentee.
4. Sign the mentee's special authorization certificate.
5. Document hunting license type/number and hunter safety certification number
on the mentee's special authorization certificate.
6. Supervise only one (1) hunter mentee at a time in the field.
7. Be in direct supervision (within sight and direct voice contact) of the hunter
mentee at all times while in the field.
Who can be a mentee?
Anyone who plans to hunt in Wyoming may participate in the hunter mentor program. A mentee can hunt for any species, but must be at least 12 years of age to take big game in Wyoming. A mentee can only apply for one special authorization in his or her lifetime, and that special authorization is valid for one year from the date of issue. A mentee can hunt with multiple mentors during the one-year special authorization. A new copy of the special authorization must be printed out and signed by each mentor. Once the special authorization certificate has expired, the mentee must complete a hunter education class to legally hunt in Wyoming.
If the hunter mentee is under 18 years of age, he or she must obtain parental/guardian permission to apply for the special authorization. The hunter mentee must carry the special authorization certificate at all times while in the field, just like hunters must carry their hunter education cards. The hunter mentee is also responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses, stamps or permits needed for the hunt.
How to Register
Participation in this program is free. To get your special authorization visit a Game and Fish office or the Game and Fish web site at http://gf.state.wy.us/huntermentor/application/frmMainPage.aspx .
To use the online registration, the hunter mentee, mentor or parent/guardian must enter the mentee's information, including name, address, date of birth and social security number.
Once the information is entered and the mentee is registered, the special authorization certificate must be printed and signed by the hunter mentor, mentee and the mentee's legal guardian if the mentee is under 18 years of age. The signed special authorization certificate must be carried by the mentee while hunting in the field. Duplicate certificates can be reprinted through the same system at no charge. This special authorization is not valid in Elk Hunt Areas 75 and 79.
For more information, or for assistance with the online system, contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Hunter Education Program at (307) 777-4538 or visit the Hunter Education Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us/services/education/huntereducationhome/index.asp.
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