Learn to Hunt, Trap & Shoot

Indiana DNR's hunting, trapping, and shooting education program offers instruction for those interested in learning more about these outdoor activities. The initiative promotes, supports and conducts events for novices of all ages, including families, adults, veterans, women, and individuals with disabilities. The program is designed to create lifelong hunting, trapping, and shooting enthusiasts. It also encourages healthy lifestyles through physical activity, social interaction, and the consumption of locally sourced, free-range proteins from hunting.

Hunting, trapping and shooting can’t be learned in a day, so the program offers a variety of events. These events are typically held at Fish & Wildlife Areas or State Forests and include:

• Multi-day workshops: These species-specific workshops focus on the science and skills of hunting. Each workshop is made up of two to four learning sessions, lasting two to four hours. Formats:
  • Classroom sessions on laws and regulations, biology, hunting, scouting techniques, and recommended equipment.
  • Field sessions of hands-on hunting in different habitats.
  • Range sessions that include practice of shooting techniques and shot placement.
  • Hunt sessions where participants pair with seasoned hunters in either a small group (two students to one mentor) or one-on-one.
• Seminars: Mini workshops (one to three hours) on a particular hunting topic such as cooking wild game, selecting a firearm, field dressing wild game, turkey calling, and waterfowl calling. Seminars are a refresher or elective portion for the multi-day workshops.
• Mentored hunts: Participants are paired with an experienced hunter for a safe and educational experience. Mentored hunts are operated either as small group hunts (two students to one mentor) or one-on-one hunts.

• Learn to Hunt, Trap, & Shoot Education Events

  Events held on any DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife property or properties of Division of Fish & Wildlife partners that involve handling and shooting firearms will be strictly organized and conducted by responsible, experienced adults. The qualified conductors will be paired with participants to constantly monitor their actions while they are holding, handling and shooting firearms and will act as mentors to teach firearm safety and safe hunting practices.

  Hunting & Trapping Education Events

   

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  Shooting Education Events

   

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• Learn to Hunt on State Forests Program

  This new effort supports and further develops novice hunters who have five or less years of hunting experience. Hunters must complete the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Learn to Hunt workshops in order to participate. Once completed, students can apply for exclusive access to specified hunting areas on select State Forests. Students will have a mentor in the field with them during all hunts. Both are eligible to hunt during the scheduled hunt sessions. Participants are only eligible once within a five-year period.

  Eligibility requirements:

  • Complete Learn to Hunt workshop, classroom, and range sessions within the past 24 months.
  • Hold a valid hunting license.
  • Be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent or guardian during the event.

  Note: Participants must have completed the classroom and range sessions of a Learn to Hunt: Deer workshop to be eligible for this program.

  • Morgan-Monroe State Forest
  • Yellowwood State Forest

Hunting, Trapping, & Shooting Information

• General Hunting and Trapping Information
• Hunting & Trapping Guide
• Where to Hunt
• Hunting Etiquette
• Youth Hunting Information
• Reserved Hunt Information
• Fish & Wildlife Properties
• DNR Shooting Ranges
• What License Do I Need?
• License Fees
• Buy a License
• Cookin' Gone Wild Recipe Book

Contact

Learn2hunt@dnr.IN.gov