Bowhunting instructor honored for service
<p>John Benda holds up the commemorative plaque and belt buckle he received for his 20 years of service as a bow hunting instructor.</p>
MINERAL COUNTY – Approximately 20 years ago, John Benda of Superior began volunteering his time to teach people everything from proper bowhunting methods to archer safety for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Benda and several other volunteer instructors were honored for their years of service during a ceremony at the Lolo Creek Steakhouse in Lolo on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The annual ceremony is always at the February instructor’s meeting. The meetings allow the volunteers to coordinate their efforts and get updated on the latest training methods. Volunteer awards are given out during the meeting to recognize the anniversaries of hunter and bowhunter instructors.
Benda said the classes were largely for kids, but many parents and adults also took the classes. During the presentation for the awards ceremony it was noted how several injuries are prevented each year as a result of the training the instructors provide to beginners.
“I never thought about that too much until recently,” Benda said. “You always hear about the few incidents every year that occur where there’s someone shot with a gun or someone falls from a tree stand or something. I think we do a really good job at reducing accidents out in the woods.”
The content of the classes has not changed much over the last 20 years. The method of delivering the lessons did see changes. When he started, Benda used overhead projectors, paper documents and transparent slides. Today, he uses PowerPoint presentations. There is also an online option where students can take most of the class before having a final field class.
“[The online class] opened up some more options,” Benda said. “I teach a classroom class every year around March or April and I do a field course for the online students in July.”
Over the 20 years of his service, Benda has instructed approximately 450 students. He said his classes emphasize safe handling of a bow and how to kill the animal with one shot. Benda does not want the animal to suffer or die from the injuries and not be harvested.
Benda got involved with the bowhunter instructors as a result of his own curiosity. He decided to take the class just for fun, even though he did not need it and was older than the rest of the students. After he saw what the instructors did and how they worked, he decided it was something he wanted to do as well.
His instructor filled him in on how everything worked and what the instructors taught. When Benda moved to Mineral County he discovered there were no bowhunting instructors in the area and volunteered with FWP to fill the position. FWP was happy to receive Benda and he quickly began teaching the classes, both alone as well as with a co-instructor.
Benda has occasionally worked with Beth Kennedy, a biologist at the Superior Ranger Station. He said they co-taught some of the classes and had worked together for approximately 15 years.
Benda felt honored to reach the milestone and receive the recognition of his fellow instructors. He received a commemorative plaque and a belt buckle from FWP. He hoped to make it another 20 years as an instructor and was happy to see different generations of hunters taking the classes.
“I’m starting to see students from parents who I certified years ago,” Benda said.
Bajin Smith, of St. Regis, was also recognized for his 15 years of service in hunter training. There were approximately 35 other trainers included in the ceremony.
According to the announcement by FWP, the volunteers “help shape the future of hunting in Montana by providing prospective hunters with training in safety, ethics, conservation and the handling of firearms and archery equipment.” There are 150 volunteers in west-central Montana who instruct approximately 2,000 hunters every year.
Benda said they are always looking for more instructors and he is willing to mentor people in the craft. For more information about the classes or being an instructor, contact Benda at 546-2555.
“I’d like to get some younger recruits...locally coming in and learning how to do the job so they can take over someday,” Benda said.