The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pheasants Forever are inviting hunters to join the Hunter Mentor Challenge and take someone hunting who has never hunted before or has not hunted in a while.
"When you pay it forward and recruit someone new into hunting, it can be a life-changing moment for both of you," said Colby Kerber, Hunting Heritage Program manager with Pheasants Forever. "There is satisfaction and a sense of achievement when an experienced hunter shares their wealth of knowledge with someone new, and it can also help a seasoned hunter learn valuable new things."
When Minnesota hunters make a pledge through the Hunter Mentor Challenge to take a new hunter to the fields or forests, they will qualify for a discount code for ALPS OutdoorZ gear and be entered to win a custom YETI cooler from Pheasants Forever.
The program is open to all types of hunting in Minnesota that are legal and in-season -- including but not limited to pheasants, grouse, waterfowl, squirrels, deer or wild turkey in the fall and spring. People can also participate by taking someone hunting who hasn't hunted for a few years.
Participation is simple: hunters visit the DNR page on the Pheasants Forever website where they take the pledge (pheasantsforever.org/MNDNR). After taking the pledge, hunters are asked to take action by mentoring a novice or returning hunter during the 2022-23 season and snapping a picture or short video of the hunting trip. The last step is to submit contact information, a story and a photo or video on the submission page to be entered for prize giveaways. All online entries must be received by June 30, 2023.
The DNR has helpful information for new hunters and experienced hunters who would like to become mentors. To learn more, visit the DNR hunting mentor page (mndnr.gov/GoHunting/Take-Friend-Hunting.html).
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy