2026 Annual Conference Recap
The Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association along with the DNR hosted “Hunter R3 (Recruit, Retain, Reactivate) – What’s after Hunter Safety” Conference on April 18, 2026. The R3 Program, led by Bob Nack and his team shared how the Hunter Safety Course is the gateway to many of the DNR R3 programs and how Hunter Safety Instructors can be involved.
Thank you to all the speakers for their informative and interesting presentations combining verified facts with engaging delivery:
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Renee Thok, WI DNR Hunter Safety Administrator, gave an update on the hunter education program.
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Bob Nack, WI DNR R3 Team Supervisor provided an overview of Wisconsin’s R3 and the Shooting Range Programs.
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Emily Iehl, WI DNR Hunting & Shooting Sports Program Specialist spoke about Hunting the R3 and Learn to Hunt programs.
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Emily Iehl from the WI DNR presented for Gregg Kurzynski for Raised at Full Draw. Raised at Full Draw is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a love for the outdoors and hunting through archery. gregg@raisedatfulldraw.com.
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Erinn Klesow-Webb, WI DNR explained the Trapping R3 and Learn To Trap programs.
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Alex Gundrum, National Deer Association (NDA) talked about his work as the Wisconsin Field to Fork Coordinator. NDA is a nonprofit dedicated to deer conservation and expanding hunting participation across the country.alex@deerassociation.com.
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John Motoviloff explained his work as the Wisconsin R3 Outreach Coordinator for Pheasants Forever. Pheasants Forever focuses on conserving pheasants, quail and wildlife through habitat enhancement, education and advocacy. jmotoviloff@pheasantsforever.org.
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Quinn Erdmann described his work with Pass It On Outdoor Mentors. Pass It On Outdoor Mentors is a nonprofit that is focused on getting more youth into the great outdoors. qerdmann@outdoormentors.com.
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Peggy Farrell, from Becoming An Outdoors-Woman (BOW) spoke about teaching hands-on outdoor skills and learn to hunt programs to adult women. Becoming An Outdoors-Woman is a nonprofit that encourages a safe, supportive learning environment for women to gain skills and confidence in hunting and shooting, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities. pfarrell@uwsp.edu.
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Volunteer opportunities exist with each of the R3 Partner Organizations and their contact information is listed above.
Congratulations to Dick Netzinger, Membership Director for WHEIA who was presented the Wisconsin DNR Archery Instructor of the Year Award from Renee Thok.
We were excited to have six Junior Hunter Safety Instructors who were each presented with a back pack provided by WHEIA. Tristan Bagley was the lucky winner of a 22 Rifle.
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This years winner of a Browning 12 gauge rifle was Kevin Fritz.
Check out photos from the conference in the gallery area.
Hope to see you at next year’s conference.
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.
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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.
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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.
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