Did you know sportsmen and women play an important role in wildlife management? They advocate for conservation policies and fund a majority of wildlife conservation efforts.
But fewer and fewer are engaged in the great outdoors.
That’s why Tennessee Wildlife Federation started Hunting and Fishing Academy. To get more Tennessee families outside and interested in the outdoors. After all, Tennessee is home to some of the best recreation opportunities in the nation.
It’s more than a simple hunting or fishing event. Hunting and Fishing Academy provides engaging, hands-on instruction in the art of being a sportsman to mentor beginner hunters and anglers between 9 and 16 years old (and their accompanying parent or guardian).
Each weekend experience is led by highly-trained Hunt Masters who demonstrate and guide you through essential skills in the field. Hunt Masters are lifelong sportsmen and women who want to pass on their experience and passion for the great outdoors.
And as parents and guardians you are not just observers. You are active participants, getting one-on-one instruction alongside your child.
For hunters, this includes step-by-step, practical sessions about reading the land, what to consider to ensure ethical harvesting, methods to track that harvest and more. You will also learn core outdoor recreation skills such as campsite selection and set up, orienteering with a compass and the principles of “leave no trace” outdoorsmanship.
Unlike many programs, you aren’t told what to do and when—you are given an understanding of each skill and why it works the way it does.
By the end of the weekend, you will have the basic skills and knowledge to get into the outdoors again as a family. Because the most valuable part of any activity is sharing it with others, bonding with family and friends is central to every Hunting and Fishing Academy experience.
Regardless of how successful the day in the field was, evening fireside chats are often the highlight of every experience.
To be eligible:
- Youth participants must have one parent or guardian attend
- Youth participants must be 9 to 16 years old
- Youth must have successfully completed the Tennessee Hunter Education course prior to the hunt and have a valid Tennessee hunting license
Participants will be selected from the pool of applicants. If selected, you will be contacted 30 days before the hunt with specific details and instructions. If you are not selected, you will be added to a waitlist and notified by email.
For more information or to express interest, please contact a Hunting and Fishing Academy staff member.
We encourage all interested youth to apply.
Learn to Hunt Waterfowl
$50 per youth and $50 parent or guardian
Learn to Hunt Waterfowl
$25 per youth and $25 parent or guardian
What does that cost cover?
Gear: From neon orange outerwear to camping and blind equipment, Tennessee Wildlife Federation provides everything your family needs for your first experience.
Transportation: Tennessee Wildlife Federation transports each family from the meeting location to the campsite, blinds and back.
Meals: Meals are provided but depend on the length of the experience. For example, three-day experiences provide meals from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday.
Supplies: During the weekend, Tennessee Wildlife Federation uses a lot of different educational equipment to make sure your family gets the right hands-on training at the right time. Tennessee Wildlife Federation has it all covered.
