Fish and Game Recognizes Hunter Education Instructors

Idaho Fish and Game's Salmon Region held its annual Hunter Education Instructor's Appreciation Banquet on Friday, March 4. Thirty people attended as the 2010 Salmon Region hunter education instructor of the year was announced at the Sacajawea Center. Richard Hadlock was honored with the award. Hadlock has been a volunteer general hunter education instructor for 22 years and a bow hunter instructor for seven. He has certified nearly 400 students and taught more than 50 classes in the Salmon community. He was recognized as the Idaho State Instructor of the Year in 2007. Hadlock has assisted in collecting names of youngsters who would benefit from and be included in the youth mentored deer hunts. These mentored deer hunts are for youngsters who would not otherwise have an opportunity to hunt. Youth mentored deer hunts began in the Salmon Region three years ago and have been coordinated by Senior Conservation Officer Ryan Hilton. When Hadlock collected names for the 2010 hunts, 13 of the 18 youngsters selected, aged 12 to 13 years of age, were not certified and could not participate without passing the hunter education course. The hunts were not far off, and he and his friend, Jim Toynbee organized a class to certify them. He provided his personal rifles and ammunition for some of the participants of the hunts as well. The Youth Pheasant Hunt also brought Hadlock to the scene as he provided his hunting dog and expertise in the field to those participating youngsters. The Salmon Region alone held 20 hunter education certification classes in 2010 and certified 160 students. Other instructors also honored with service awards included: James Toynbee and Richard Hadlock, Senior Awards; Sam Heald, 15 years of hunter education service; Brian Brewer, 10 years of service; Dan Smith, five years of service. Dan Maurer received a gift for earning 900 points teaching courses. James Toynbee and Tom Curet received awards for 15 years of service as bow hunter instructors. The banquet attendees enjoyed a meal catered by The Kitchen and presentations by youth hunt coordinators. Senior Conservation Officer Matt Sheppard spoke to the crowd about the first ever Salmon Region youth waterfowl hunt last season at the University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research Extension and Education Center in Carmen. Landowner/sportsmen coordinator Bret Stansberry told of the youth pheasant hunt on the Raymond Cockrell Ranch, while Senior Conservation Officer Ryan Hilton told of more youth mentored deer hunting successes. Seven landowners provided deer hunting opportunities in 2010. Salmon Rifle Range Committee member and hunter education instructor, Jim Toynbee, discussed improvements and plans for the range. State hunter education coordinator Ron Fritz thanked the instructors for their contributions and presented the state program reviews and updates. The hunter education instructors volunteer their time and efforts to the program and have been instrumental in teaching hunters rules, safety and ethics while hunting in Idaho's outdoors.