WI DNR Hunter Education Live Fire Policy Update

Live Fire Exercises (Not Mandatory)

• There is no requirement to shoot a firearm/bow to pass any of Wisconsin’s Hunter Education courses or be present during a live fire portion if the student chooses not to participate for any reason.

• Live fire exercises, if conducted, are required to be done only under strict supervision and control of certified instructors.

• If a live fire session is offered after the final exam and a student fails the final exam, they are not permitted to participate in the live fire session. This is only for live fire sessions held after the final exam is administered.

• Hunter Education instructors are required to follow the policy provided with any students engaging in any live fire exercise as part of the Hunter or Bow Hunter Education programs.

• The four rules of Firearm Safety (TAB-K) must always be followed.

When You Can Hold Your Live Fire:

• Live fire can be held at any point within the 10 to 19-hour course length requirements.

  • Courses must still meet the 10-hour in-class instruction minimum.

    • Live fire will not count toward course minimum length

  • Courses will not exceed the 19-hour course length maximum.

    • Live fire will count toward course maximum length

• Live fire sessions will be scheduled in Go Wild as an OPTIONAL LIVE FIRE SESSION.

• Schedule will show X amount of class time and X optional live fire session (with dates and times for the pre-planned event).

Shooting Range Requirements:

• All live fire exercises shall be held at an established shooting range set up with formal firing lanes and backstops.

• To include but not limited to state owned facilities, sportsman’s clubs, military or law enforcement ranges/training facilities, or businesses designed for use as a shooting range.

***If an instructor has difficulty meeting these requirements, they can discuss options with their Outdoor Skills Trainer or Hunter Education program staff.

Firearms/Ammunition:

• All firearms utilized for these exercises by either students or instructors must be in good working condition and belong to Wisconsin Hunter Education program, students’ personal firearms or club firearms, or certified Instructor’s personal firearms.

• If student’s personal firearms, club firearms or instructor’s personal firearms are utilized the following criteria must be met:

  • Signed Assumption of the Risk (AOR) for student, instructor, and sports club firearms used in class.

  • AOR document will be retained by the lead instructor, along with other course documentation for the required RDA of 6-years.

• Instructors will work with students on selecting an appropriate firearm to bring/use at the live fire session.

  • Instructors will ensure that students are utilizing a firearm that is consistent with the experience level of that student as to not overpower the student or cause injury

  • Firearms that are brought in by students that the instructor is uncomfortable utilizing are left to instructor discretion.

• Every firearm must be checked by a certified instructor to make sure that it is unloaded prior to entering a building, training area or range.

• Students are not to bring any ammunition to the course.

• No live ammunition is allowed in the classroom during the course.

• Ammunition will be provided by instructors at the range during the live fire exercise.

• Re-loaded ammunition cannot be used by anyone.

Safety Equipment

• Everyone is required to wear ear and eye protection when either shooting or in proximity of the firing line.

• All students and parents/guardians should have proper attire (closed-toe footwear, clothing, etc.) to be worn on the range.

When Students Are on The Firing Line/Range

• A certified instructor will be designated as range instructor and control all activities on the range.

• Students must follow the command of the range instructor.

• IF, you have the staffing ability to have an instructor with each student as a coach it is recommended to do so.

• All firearms actions will be kept open until instructed to load and fire.

• Muzzles of firearms must always be pointed down-range.

• No one is allowed in front of the firing line until the range instructor gives the “all clear” or “go forward” or similar command.

  • Appropriate/acceptable targets include paper targets, Styrofoam boards, targets considered appropriate/relevant for the course, etc.

  • No exploding targets, shooting at household items, dummies, etc.

• If there is a malfunction or anyone needs to go down range a “cease fire” or “hold fire” or similar command will be given.

  • At that time students will ensure their firearm is safe and follow the instructors’ directions on storing the firearm safely until the problem is corrected.

• All unfired cartridges on the range shall immediately be turned over to the range instructor. Live ammunition will not be kept by students.

• All firearm malfunctions will be immediately reported to the range instructor.

• All fingers must be outside the trigger guard until the command to fire is given.

• The students not actively engaged in firing are required to stand to the rear of the firing line until it is their turn to engage.

Firearm Maintenance:

• Hunter education instructors will be responsible for ensuring maintenance prior to and following a live fire for all DNR HE owned firearms.

• This will include

  • Ensuring the firearms are in good working condition prior to your live fire, no signs of needed maintenance, no sign of malfunctions, etc.

  • Cleaning the firearms post shoot to ensure the firearms remain in good working condition and do not succumb to overuse.

  • Contacting your local OST to report any firearms issues including replacement and/or repair.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Volunteer/InstructorPolicyProcedures