Hunter Education Instructor Advisory Committee

WDFW is accepting letters of interest to serve on the Hunter Education Instructor Advisory Committee (IAC). which represents almost 1,000 volunteer instructors statewide and advises WDFW on issues and opportunities affecting the Hunter Education Program, its instructors, and students. Letters of interest will be accepted through June 15.

IAC members are expected to:

• Work towards the committee’s goals identified in the Instructor Advisory Committee Operating Procedures. (PDF)
• Serve as a direct communication link with instructors and others who are interested in hunter education training.
• Assist with the creation of each calendar year’s IAC workplan.
• Support the 25-year strategic plan and the Washington Hunting and Angling Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Plan implementation.
• Participate in scheduled quarterly meetings.
• Bring concerns or input from instructors in their region to the meeting for discussion
• Be prepared to participate in periodic workplan meetings for special projects or subgroups outside of normal meeting dates and times.
• Participate in at least one of their region’s in-service trainings.

Five volunteer positions serving three-year terms are opening on the 15-member group. All appointees must retain their certification throughout their term which will start on Aug. 1, 2026. Seats that are currently up for recruitment are:

• Region 1
• Region 2
• Region 3
• Region 4
• At large (any instructor may occupy this seat)

WDFW tries to maintain regional representation on the IAC by appointing members from regions to regional seats. However, if there are no applicants from a region with a term open, WDFW will fill the IAC openings with instructors from other regions to maintain the 15-member committee.

Letters of interest must include contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address, county of residence) and answers to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to be a member of the IAC?
2. What qualifies you to be a member?
3. What is something unique you can bring to IAC?
4. How can you help the committee achieve its goals listed in the Instructor Advisory Committee Operating Procedures (PDF)?
5. Which of the Advisory Committee Roles in the Instructor Advisory Committee Operating Procedures (PDF) most interests you and why?

Send letters to Kris Thorson via email (Kristopher.thorson@dfw.wa.gov) or by mail: WDFW Hunter Education Program, Attn: Kris Thorson, PO Box 43137, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.

The IAC typically meets four times per year with meeting dates in March, June, August, and December. In-person meetings are held in Ellensburg but depending on need the IAC may pivot to hybrid or virtual meetings. Members can receive mileage reimbursement to attend in-person meetings. Lunch is provided at in-person meetings. Members can expect to donate at least 50 hours of their time annually in excess of normal instructing.