Jim Toynbee was recognized for his volunteer service at the annual Idaho Department of Fish and Game Volunteer Banquet on April 2 at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center in Salmon.
Toynbee has been a hunter and bow hunter education instructor for the Salmon Region for over 46 years and has certified over 1,000 students.
Many of his students were certified through his Salmon Jr. High School program, but he continued to educate and certify hunters long after he retired from his teaching career. In 1993 he was honored with the title of Idaho State Instructor of the Year and received a lifetime hunting license from the Department.
Toynbee shared some of his experiences as an instructor with the instructors and volunteers who attended the banquet. The stories included such details as igniting black powder, field trips, and rattle snakes just to name few. Toynbee also helped pioneer the Outdoor Skills class in the Salmon School District. This class is now taught by Hunter Education instructor Sean McKinney and allows students to get their hunter and bow hunter education certification.
But after 46 years, Toynbee has decided to retire and pass the torch to others.
Each year, Fish and Game honors hunter education instructors with awards for their efforts. Dan Maurer of North Fork was awarded the 2017 Instructor of the Year. Dan was named Salmon Region Instructor of the Year in 2008 and 2014 as well.
Instructors Will and Myla Naillon of Challis received their 10 year service pins in Hunter Education. Chuck Felton of Challis received his 15 year pin in Bow Hunter Education. Justin Williams received his 20 year pin in Hunter Education.
The event included dinner catered by the Junkyard Bistro, and Fish and Game presentations. Presiding over this event were Fish and Game employees Tom Curet, Regional Supervisor, Viki Harber, Office Services Supervisor, and Hunter Education Technician, Krystal Smith.
Biologist Bret Stansberry gave a presentation on current research on Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep. Hunter Education Technician, Krystal Smith, presented information on the Hunter Education program and volunteer opportunities in the Salmon Region.
Volunteers were also recognized for the time and effort they donated to Idaho Fish and Game projects. In 2017, local volunteers helped with various projects including youth pheasant clinics (Challis and Salmon), mentored deer hunts, wildlife capture projects, steelhead spawning at the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth hatcheries, free fishing days, and more.
“Without our volunteers, we would not be able to do the things that we do, said
Tom Curet, Fish and Game regional supervisor. “Volunteers make an impact on wildlife conservation, hunter education, and the Salmon community.”
Idaho Fish and Game would like to express thanks to all the local volunteers and instructors for their dedication and support. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Idaho Fish and Game office for more information.