Classes

Testimonials

“…having worked in the Arctic for 30 years, I can confidently say this was the best preparation I've received for our types of remote fieldwork. There was a near-perfect mix of generalized instruction, attention to our specific needs, and hands-on practice with equipment… What made the training exceptional was Will's ability to build from his own Alaskan experience and a strong foundation of published research and statistics and then customized that to our specific needs.”

-Dr. Martin Robbards, Wildlife Conservation Society

“Everyone who participated really appreciated your course. I'll speak for myself and the rest of our team when I say that I feel more comfortable with firearm use by camp and field workers after your course than I did previously. The full-day live fire training was particularly helpful.”

-Dr. Aaron Hantsche, GIT, Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd.

“Will put on a fieldwork and bear safety training for my organization and did a phenomenal job. The training included a component of going over concepts, gear, and plans, and a practical field day familiarizing us with safety, bear spray, and firearm use. I'd highly recommend his training services for anyone working in the outdoors.”

-Dr. Kevin Fraley, Wildlife Conservation Society

Bear Awareness

Built for people who work in bear country, this course covers the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to work safely around bears — including how to identify, read, and respond to bears before a situation escalates.

  • The most comprehensive bear awareness course in Alaska

  • Backed by scientific research and data, not opinion

  • Bear identification and behavior

  • Best practices for the backcountry to prevent bear encounters

  • Information about different bear deterrents and defensive tools

  • Hands-on practice with inert bear spray

  • 4-5 hours in length

A person in outdoor attire, including camouflage boots and khaki pants, is spraying bear repellent from a can towards a bear target poster hung on a tree in a forest.

Basic Bear Defense

A 1-day course that covers the essentials of bear safety and emphasises core firearms safety practices for groups with limited time. It includes:

  • Fundamentals of bear safety (identification, behavior, best practices)

  • Hands-on practice with inert bear spray

  • Firearms safety and instruction (shotgun, pistol, or rifle)

    • Firearms safety practices

    • Parts, operation, and manipulation

    • Ammunition

    • Loading and unloading

    • Fundamentals of shooting

    • Live fire shooting qualification

  • 8-10 hours in length, split between the classroom and live fire range

Group of people participating in a shooting activity at outdoor firing range with images of a bear on targets, situated in a mountainous forested area under bright sunlight.

Advanced Bear Defense

This comprehensive 2-day course is the recommended standard for anyone working in bear country and carrying a firearm for bear defense, and is equivalent to the State of Alaska and U.S. Fish and Wildlife bear defense programs. It prepares individuals to operate safely at a professional level in remote environments and shoot with a high level of proficiency required for bear defense.

  • Includes everything in the Bear Awareness course, and:

  • In-depth firearms safety and instruction (shotgun, pistol, or rifle)

    • Firearms safety practices

    • Parts, operation, and manipulation

    • Ammunition

    • Loading and unloading

    • Stoppages and malfunctions (jams, failure to fire)

    • Fundamentals of shooting

    • Bear hazing techniques

    • Carry techniques and gear recommendations for fieldwork

      • Includes practice with slings/holsters

    • Decision-making and teamwork in a stressful environment

    • Case studies from defensive bear encounters

  • Legal implications of bear defense and firearms usage

  • Written knowledge assessments/tests

  • Extensive live-fire practice and a bear defense shooting qualification

  • 16-20 hours in length: 1 day in the classroom, 1 day of live-fire

A young girl with glasses, ear protection, and earphones aiming a shotgun at a target outdoors. An adult man and a woman are in the background, also with ear protection, on a dirt shooting range surrounded by trees.

Field Safety

This class can be customized to your specific needs. We work with you to personalize the content for you and your team.

Topics include:

  • Trip plans

  • Communication and navigation

  • Clothing systems

  • Stove safety

  • Water purification

  • Survival fundamentals

  • Wilderness hazards

  • Risk management

  • Being rescue-ready

  • After action review

  • Boating and water safety

  • Accident statistics

  • Recommended supplies

  • Operation and use

  • Rules and etiquette

  • Boating hazards

  • Accident response and survival

  • Basic first aid topics

  • Evacuation guidelines

Close-up of hiking boots from a low angle on a rocky outdoor trail with a person in the background holding food, trees, and sunlit sky.

First Aid - coming soon!

We are currently developing a Wilderness First Aid curriculum. Check back later for updates!

A rescue worker in orange gear kneeling on forest ground with fallen leaves, assisting someone lying on the ground, surrounded by trees in a wooded area.

Visit the About tab to find out more information about your instructor’s qualifications

Interested in a class? Contact us here

Training Resources

Like any good scientist, we always make sure to cite our sources! We make that supplemental information available to everybody who has taken one of our classes.

Click to find out more!

Footprints in the sand on a textured sandy surface.

Bear Safety

Two boys wearing red life jackets wading in a river near rocks and a slope. One child is standing on a rock holding a yellow rope, and the other is on the riverbank. A red canoe with green plants inside is on the rocks.

Field Safety

Group of people wearing outdoor gear and bright orange hats, gathered in a wooded area during fall, engaging in an outdoor activity or research.

First Aid