Hunter ed instructors honored for service
From left, Ken Quitt, Gary DeMoss and John Benda are 3 of over 100 volunteer instructors with Montana FWP. Quitt has 10 years as both a bow and hunter education instructor. DeMoss resides in Washington but travels to Mineral County every year to help teach hunter education. Benda teaches the bow education and with 30 years of service he is the county lead instructor and organizer. The three were recognized at a workshop and awards luncheon held in Missoula. Mineral County had a strong showing of volunteerism with this program. (Photo by Debra Regan)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks honored the service of its volunteer Hunter, Bowhunter, and Trapper education instructors at a workshop and awards luncheon this month in Missoula.
Montana's Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education program is made possible by a group of dedicated volunteer instructors that collectively teach hundreds of classes each year around the state. In west-central Montana, over 100 volunteer instructors teach approximately 1,000 students annually, and some instructors have spent decades with the program.
Two instructors, Dave Tweet of Missoula and Gordon Pierson of Deer Lodge, were recognized for 40 years of service in the Hunter Education program. John Benda of Superior and Neil Maier of Frenchtown received 30-year service awards for the Bowhunter Education program, and Patricia Culver of Missoula was recognized for 30 years in the Hunter Education program.
Several instructors also received special awards for exemplary service. Marcus Bahm of Missoula received the Instructor of the Year Award. Merri Clapham of Stevensville received the Charlie Whitfield Award for excellence in bowhunter education and Brent Henrichs of Anaconda received the Joe Rice Award for excellence in hunter education.
The following instructors were also recognized for service milestones:
5 Years Hunter Ed
Cassandra Ball, Missoula
Heath Hanson, Potomac
Doug Lilly, Stevensville
Jim Olivarez, Missoula
Mark Oswald, Hamilton
Janine Shook, Darby
JR Shook, Darby
Haylee Syverson, Frenchtown
Paul Thompson, Anaconda
5 Years Bowhunter Ed
Devin Dahl, Drummond
Jacob Dahl, Drummond
Mark Oswald, Hamilton
10 Years Hunter Ed
Everett Headley, Stevensville
Craig Jourdonnais, Missoula
Kenneth Quitt, Superior
James Waite, Deer Lodge
Sven Wigert, Missoula
10 Years Bowhunter Ed
Everett Headley, Stevensville
15 Years Hunter Ed
Patrick Ahlin, Stevensville
Marcus Bahm, Missoula
Scott Groenier, Missoula
Brian Haines, Deer Lodge
20 Years Hunter Ed
Perry Beilke, Florence
Gary de Moss, Lind, WA
Kyle Skibsted, Missoula
20 Years Bowhunter Ed
Ken Brownell, Frenchtown
Jeff Hill, Missoula
25 Years Hunter Ed
Don Cole, Darby
Arthur Collins, Drummond
Jim Waliser, Hamilton
30 Years Bowhunter Ed
John Benda, Superior
Neil Maier, Frenchtown
30 Years Hunter Ed
Patricia Culver, Missoula
40 Years Hunter Ed
Gordon Pierson, Deer Lodge
Dave Tweet, Missoula
Montana needs more volunteer instructors in its Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education programs. Instructors make a positive difference in the lives of new hunters in ways that can last for generations. Anyone with experience in these areas is encouraged to apply. To learn more, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/volunteer-instructors.