Congratulations DNR Award Recipients

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

Volunteer instructors demonstrate proper technique for two-person fence crossing.