Contact: DNRPress@wisconsin.gov
Fond Du Lac Man Honored For 50 Years Of Hunter Education Instruction
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – A Fond du Lac man who has been teaching hunter safety for 50 years was recently recognized for his decades of volunteer service.
On Dec. 9, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association (WHEIA) presented William Jensen, of Fond du Lac, with a rifle in appreciation for his dedication.
“The program is successful because of volunteers like William Jensen and his family,” said Jon King, DNR Hunter Education Administrator. “Mr. Jensen’s involvement in the program has been so valuable to his more than 8,400 students over the years. We not only thank William; we also thank his family for their support of his decades of outstanding hunter education public service.”
The 78-year-old (pictured at right) not only teaches hunter education, he is also certified in archery and ATV education. He credits the students who inspired him to keep teaching.
“I kept going, not for the awards, but for the rewarding experience of working with the students and knowing that I helped shape safe hunters,” Jensen said. “Things like hands-on exercises in hunter education courses and readily available instructor materials are great aspects of the program.”
Wisconsin hunter education started in 1967 with a grassroots effort to reduce hunting incidents and to educate hunters to make them safe, responsible and ethical. Since then, multiple generations of families have completed hunter education. There have been over 20,000 volunteers who have helped educate the hunters of Wisconsin and more than 1 million hunters certified.
“Safety is an important part of the long-standing tradition of hunting,” King said.
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 must complete a hunter education course and have a hunter education safety certificate on file to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin. Hunter education graduates receive a certificate that is accepted in every state, Canada and Mexico. Learn more about the DNR’s Hunter Education courses and find a course option perfect for you here.
