Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will honor the service of its west-central Montana Hunter and Bowhunter Education volunteer instructors at a workshop and awards luncheon in Lolo on Saturday, February 9.
These 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. In west-central Montana alone, approximately 150 volunteers instruct about 1,500 students each year.
Instructors with 20 years or more of service include: Marlon Clapham of Stevensville (20), Earl Willard of Missoula (20), Craig Winter of Missoula (20), Duane Jessop of Hamilton (25), Michael Jessop of Pinesdale (25), and Dale Smith of Hamilton (55).hese 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. In west-central Montana alone, approximately 150 volunteers instruct about 1,500 students each year. .
Dale Smith has volunteered as an instructor since the Montana hunter education program began in the 1950s. He still assists with Hamilton courses today.
FWP is thankful to have hundreds of qualified instructors across the state, and always welcomes new additions to its ranks. For information on becoming a Hunter or Bowhunter Education instructor, call Vivaca Crowser in the FWP Region 2 FWP Office at (406) 542-5518 or email vcrowser@mt.gov.
A complete list of all service awards, given is five-year increments are as follows:
5-year Hunter Education:
William Blocker, Darby
Jerry Donaldson, Stevensville
Steven French, Potomac
Brent Henrichs, Anaconda
Matthew Henrichs, Anaconda
Haggin Hubert, Missoula
William Knuth, Hamilton
Amy Krause, Missoula
Dennis Lengyel, Corvallis
Gary McCleerey, Condon
Scott McCleerey, Condon
Brant Pierson, Deer Lodge
Jack Raines, Missoula
Ronald Ream, Condon
Gary Ritter, Missoula
Andrew Smith, Bonner
Carolyn Smith, Bonner
Gyen Smith, Bonner
5-year Bowhunter Education:
William Blocker, Darby
Steven Borden, Corvallis
Joe Mavrinac, Powell
Scott McCleerey, Condon
Ronald Ream, Condon
Brodie Swisher, Stevensville
Jeffrey Zimmerman, Bonner
10-year Hunter Education:
James Kosena, Missoula
Jim McCormack, Stevensville
Faron Stevens, Stevensville
15-year, Hunter Education:
Kristina Gaul, Victor
Thomas Haviland, Missoula
Russell Hoerner, Missoula
Charlie Lambson, Florence
Philip M. Meis, Hamilton
20-year Hunter Education:
Craig Winter, Missoula
20-year Bowhunter Education:
Marlon Clapham, Stevensville
Earl Willard, Missoula
25-year Bowhunter Education:
Duane Jessop, Hamilton
Michael Jessop, Pinesdale
55-year Hunter Education:
Dale Smith, Hamilton
Report by Vivaca Crowser, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks – Region 2
