When Jason Buck Hornickel was 13, his best friend’s dad took the boys on a two-week backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. The life-changing experience set the course for Hornickel’s winding career path — and his new role as Wisconsin 4-H’s first Outdoor Education Specialist.
“That trip was my spark to find my calling,” Hornickel said. “I love everything outdoors, whether it’s from hunting to fishing to hiking to camping and just being outside. Those are the passions that I get to share with youth.”
In the newly expanded role, the former Monroe County 4-H educator of 2.5 years is dedicated to being a trusted adult who helps youth find their sparks in outdoor education. That way, 4-H’ers from Cloverbud through grade 13 can build a life that’s as connected to their passions as his has been.
“Outdoor education is a healthy hobby. You can get away from screen time and just enjoy and respect the natural world that’s around you,” Hornickel said.
After growing up reading A Sand County Almanac by famed Wisconsin conservationist Aldo Leopold and working on a horse ranch in Eagle, Wisconsin, Hornickel has backpacked all over the world, earned certification as a farrier, owned and operated a horse ranch, taught science for 15 years in two states, and earned two master’s degrees in education.
Hornickel’s College and Career Experiences
High School Job: Trail guide and ride leader at Swinging W Ranch in Eagle, Wisconsin, in Kettle Moraine State Forest
Owner and operator of a horse boarding, rehab and training facility
4-H Volunteer and Outdoor Education project leader
Archery Coach in Rubicon, Wisconsin
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Geographic Science. Worked doing wildlife habitat and prairie restoration for the National Resources and Conservation Service through Pheasants Forever
Oklahoma Horseshoeing School: Certified farrier with 25 experience
Business Owner: Buckhorn Farrier, Fencing and Woodworking equestrian consulting, therapeutic horseshoeing and agricultural/decorative fencing services
Master’s degree in Science & Math Education
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction — STEM Leadership through the NASA Endeavor Program
Portage County 4-H Educator
Teacher: Science, STEM and Environmental Science for elementary, middle and high school in Wisconsin and Washington for 15 years
District Science Coach near Olympia, Washington: Led field trips to Mount St. Helens, launched a research vessel on the Puget sound, studied salmon, studied the estuary at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Shooting Sports
Hornickel grew up around firearms and safe handling practices after being introduced to shooting air rifle and archery by his uncles. In his role as Outdoor Education Specialist, he’ll continue leading Shooting Sports adult leader certifications and regional and state meets.
“Jason really has what it takes: an incredible passion for the outdoors, for firearms safety, for proper management and oversight of volunteer training,” said Hornickel’s predecessor Doug Thompson, long-time Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports specialist, who retires in June.
The Shooting Sports Specialist role grew into the Outdoor Education Specialist position to continue strong support for Shooting Sports, in addition to exciting new developments. Based at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, Hornickel will also help 4-H educators create training materials for camp counselors and teach nature science at camps at Upham Woods. And through an adventurous opportunity, Hornickel is also building a comprehensive ATV safety course.
Hornickel says the most rewarding part of Shooting Sports is watching youth confidence grow from their first session of not being able to hit the target to being successful at every attempt. One benefit of Shooting Sports is that youth can participate solely for competition if they’re not interested in hunting.
“The message that I like to share with our youth is hunting is certainly not about harvesting game as much as it is the quality time that you get to spend with family and friends, making memories and spending quality time outdoors,” he said.
ATV Safety
In a first for Wisconsin 4-H, Hornickel is creating an ATV safety program over the next few years as part of a grant from Polaris off-road vehicles — he’s already hard at work piloting the program. Based on courses from the Wisconsin DNR and ATV Safety Institute, it combines classroom and hands-on learning. That way, youth can understand how to operate ATVs safely and responsibly.
Career and College Readiness
Talking with youth about connecting their sparks to their futures inspires Hornickel. He has plenty of ideas for them to consider — in part because he’s experienced so many.
“They could go into the DNR, a nonprofit, education. There’s so many other avenues that young adults can pursue with their hobbies or their interests in outdoor education and becoming leaders in it. They could go to school for it, get an internship or apprenticeship in it. They could start their own business and do outdoor consulting or make handmade bows. The sky is the limit.”
In a recent Outdoor Education program, Hornickel took youth to tour Mathews Archery, a global leader in equipment based in Sparta. Experiences like these help youth envision possibilities and get ready for their lives as adults.
I’m excited to provide learning opportunities that connect hobbies with potential professions so youth can start thinking about those pathways as they’re growing into middle and high school.
Jason Buck Hornickel
