Nine Volunteers Named as Hunter Education Instructors of the Year

  • 16 December 2010
  • Number of views: 10667

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has recognized nine volunteers who teach hunting education as the agency’s “Instructors of the Year.”

The instructors, each representing one of nine districts statewide, were presented a commemorative model Henry Golden Boy .22 caliber rifle in tribute to their service.

“These nine men and women provided exemplary service for 2010 and deserve the recognition,” said Travis Casper, state assistant hunting education coordinator. “They and the other 772 hunter education instructors currently active in North Carolina have earned our gratitude. Their dedication and commitment to teach free courses certainly saves the state money in these austere times. But the hunter safety, outdoors skills and wildlife knowledge they pass along is even more valuable.”

The nine volunteers and their hometowns are:

  • District 1 Terry Boyce, Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County
  • District 2 Doyt “Dutch” Akom, Newport, Carteret County
  • District 3 Joe Fabian, Wilson, Wilson County
  • District 4 Joe Darden, Fayetteville, Cumberland County
  • District 5 Dave Gibbs, Hurdle Mills, Orange County
  • District 6 Anne-Marie Rushing, Wingate, Union County
  • District 7 Jay Hutchens, Mocksville, Davie County
  • District 8 Link Grass, Denver, Lincoln County
  • District 9 Bill McAlhaney, Fletcher, Henderson County

“The real unsung heroes of our industry are the instructors whose tireless efforts promote firearms safety, youth shooting sports and our Second Amendment rights,’ said Anthony Imperato, president of the Henry Repeating Arms, who made the commemorative rifles  possible. “I thank them and salute them.” 

The hunter education courses are free and include information about hunter ethics and responsibility, conservation and wildlife management, firearms, survival and first aid, as well as specialty hunting and tree stand safety. The course is a minimum of 10 hours and is accepted in every state and province in North America. All first-time license buyers must successfully complete a hunter education course before they can hunt in North Carolina or purchase a hunting license.

To learn more or to enroll in a free hunter education course, go to http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/H_Hunter_Ed_Course.htm for schedules and locations near you or call (919) 707-0031 for more information.

;
Media Contact:
Geoff Cantrell, Public Information Officer
(919) 707-0186
geoff.cantrell@ncwildlife.org
Print