Hunter education is required for all hunters in Wyoming who were born after January 1, 1966. But the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's (WGFD) Hunter Mentor Program enables new hunters who haven't completed their hunter education to experience the hunt with a mentor who has taken the course.

 WGFD Hunter and Angler Participation Coordinator Kathryn Boswell said this should make things easier for people who would like to try hunting.

"[If] you want to go pheasant hunting and your friend is willing to take you this weekend but you haven't had hunter education, you have that flexibility to buy your license, sign up through the program, and then your friend can take you right away," Boswell said.

She said the department expects to see an increase in people taking advantage of the program this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Currently we are having problems getting those classes scheduled due to some restrictions for venues and also people's comfort level in taking a class in person.

So, right now, we anticipate that this program will get a lot of use because it can help alleviate that problem of not being able to get into a hunter education class," Boswell said.

A mentee can hunt any species they hold a valid hunting license for as long as they're with their mentor at all times. Mentors must be 18 or older, hold a valid Wyoming hunting license, and have successfully completed a hunter education course. Mentorship is valid for a year.

More information and applications can be found on the Wyoming Game and Fish website. Applications are open year-round for all species.

Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Ivy Engel, at iengel@uwyo.edu.