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The primary purpose of the Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) grant program is to provide cost-sharing grants to local clubs, organizations, communities, governments, Wisconsin tribes, colleges, universities and technical schools to ensure the education, training and development of safe and ethical hunters and mentors.
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Tom Chandler
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Richard "Dick" Netzinger
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T.J. Walker Middle School
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Gallery
Associated Links
HELP NEEDED
Waterfowl Hunters Expo
August 21st and 22nd
Oshkosh, WI
The Waterfowl Hunters Expo brings together enthusiasts to celebrate the sport, share knowledge, and connect directly with conservation leaders, brands, and fellow hunters. They are committed to strengthening community, advancing education, and supporting conservation efforts within the waterfowling world.
The WHE is a truly one-of-a-kind event—designed by waterfowlers, for waterfowlers. The Expo features a wide range of seminars, demonstrations, contests, and interactive activities. From seasoned hunters to first-time attendees, from youth to adults, men and women alike, every visitor will find something to enjoy, learn from, and experience together.
This is a chance for you to meet and network with other hunter ed instructors/WHEIA members.
Please contact John Janik at
414-881-2007 or john@jcjanik.com for more information or to volunteer. Your help is appreciated.
Congratulations
Madison, WI – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hunter Education program is pleased to announce the annual winners of the 2025 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, the Archery Instructor of the Year, and the Hunter Education Group of the Year. Please join us in congratulating the following award recipients:
2025 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year: Thomas “Tom” Chandler
In 2025, Tom offered 6 separate hunter education classes, which certified over 100 students. Tom works hard to promote each of his courses – he posts flyers, advertises in local papers, and recruits excellent guest speakers for his classes. He is a valuable point of contact for both DNR staff and the instructors of his region – coordinating with other volunteers to plan classes for the northwest region of the state. Over the course of his volunteer career, Tom has taught around 1300 students. His nominators espoused Tom’s ability as an instructor recruiter, his devotion to hunter education, and his friendly & helpful nature.
2025 Archery Instructor of the Year: Richard “Dick” Netzinger
Dick has been a certified instructor since 1997 and has regularly taught since then. He’s normally found leading several hunter education classes in Walworth County. He still finds time to volunteer to help with both Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expos (MOHEE) BB gun and archery shoots, as well as with Big Foot Archer’s efforts to mentor deaf students. His volunteering efforts extended out to the One Step Camp, which provided archery education programs for children with cancer. His nominator cites Dick’s patience, leadership, and commitment to sportsmanship as a testament to his legacy as a youth outdoor skills educator.
2025 Hunter Education Group of the Year: TJ Walker Middle School Safety Education
Comprised of certified volunteer instructors; Matt Propsom, Mark Smullen, Dan Tjernagel, Derek Jennerjohn, David LaBott, Jonathan Meacham, Nick Nault, Scott Richard, and Clint Henry, the group was organized in 2017 in response to a need to educate the students in outdoor skills. This group, made up of school staff and community volunteers certified in Hunter, Snowmobile, Boater, and ATV education began teaching these courses as an elective course. They also organize field days with the Door County Rod & Gun club, and their promotion of Hunter Education courses spurred the creation of their school’s trap shooting team. This group exemplifies the ethic and vision that all DNR volunteer instructors have – the continued education of youth and promotion of all outdoor skills to let everybody be safe and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors.
Photo: Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Caption: Volunteer instructors demonstrate proper technique for two-person fence crossing.
Donation made to Oconto River Kids
Steve Lazarczyk and John Janik from WHEIA recently presented Octonto River Kids with a donation.
Oconto River Kids began in 2012 with a landowner who envisioned a local volunteer group providing hunting and fishing opportunities for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Read More.
Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association (WHEIA) works cooperatively with the Department of Natural Resources and with volunteer instructors throughout the State of Wisconsin in the promotion and implementation of Wisconsin’s Hunter Education Safety and Mentorship Programs.
WHEIA endorses and supports the use of standardized lesson plans by all instructors in order to improve the delivery and quality of the program. WHEIA’s primary focus is on safety and furthermore understands the importance of “hands-on” training in the area of archery and firearms safety as well as tree stand safety and associated outdoor safety for hunters of all ages prior to going afield.
WHEIA supports instructors statewide by providing training sessions along with materials and equipment needed in the delivery of safety training.
WHEIA supports through scholarships the continued education of young adults in their pursuit of outdoor resources careers, such as wildlife habitat conservation and restoration and warden/law enforcement careers. WHEIA also works on fostering mutual cooperation with federal and state governments in recognizing the need to have properly educated hunters
and target shooters.
