Maine IFW Next Step Programs: Take Your Outdoor Skills to the Next Level

Completing Hunter Education is an important beginning, but there’s always more to learn.

Monmouth Fish & Game is pleased to host Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Next Step Programs. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between basic Hunter Education and practical experience in the field.

Next Step programs provide participants with opportunities to learn from knowledgeable instructors, ask questions, develop practical skills, and gain greater confidence before putting those skills to use on their own.

They can be particularly valuable for new hunters who have completed Hunter Education but may not have an experienced hunter or mentor available to help them take that next step.

Big Game Hunting

The Big Game Hunting Next Step Program builds upon the basic knowledge introduced during Hunter Education and takes a closer look at preparing for and participating in a successful big game hunt.

Participants may explore topics such as planning and preparing for a hunt, choosing appropriate equipment, understanding habitat and animal behavior, scouting, hunting strategies, shot placement, tracking and recovery, field care, and ethical decision-making.

The program also provides an opportunity to discuss many of the practical questions that new hunters encounter as they prepare to head into the woods.

Our goal is to help participants move from simply understanding the fundamentals to feeling better prepared and more confident when they begin hunting independently.

Introduction to Shotguns

The Introduction to Shotguns program offers participants an opportunity to become comfortable with shotguns in a safe, supportive, and educational environment.

The course introduces the different types of shotguns, gauges, ammunition, basic shotgun operation, safe handling, loading and unloading, proper stance, mounting the shotgun, sighting techniques, patterning, and fundamental shooting skills.

Participants also learn how shotguns differ from rifles and handguns and how they are commonly used for hunting and recreational shooting activities such as trap shooting.

Whenever possible, classroom instruction is followed by supervised hands-on range experience, allowing participants to put what they’ve learned into practice with assistance from experienced instructors.

The program is an excellent starting point for someone considering upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, recreational clay shooting, or simply wanting to become more familiar with shotguns.