DNR Accepting Nominations for the 2025 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year and Other Awards

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 -- 8:00 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, Hunter Education Group of the Year and Archery Education Instructor of the Year awards.

Current hunter and archery education instructors and hunter education groups that have significantly advanced hunter safety on a voluntary basis through extraordinary service are eligible to be nominated.

"The dedication of our hunter and archery education instructors to ensuring that our students have the highest quality of safety training before heading into the woods is an incredibly valuable tool for the agency," said Lt. Renee Thok, DNR hunter education administrative warden.

"They deserve as much recognition as we can give them. Nominating an instructor or group is a very special way to honor them for their countless hours of volunteer time they put in to continue to grow the future of safe, responsible hunters."

Extraordinary service can take many forms, including recruiting new instructors, recruiting new students or hunters, increasing the volume of courses taught, or involvement in other community activities related to hunter education.

To nominate an individual or group, download the nomination form on the DNR’s volunteer webpage and email the completed form to [email protected] by Feb. 15, 2026.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.