Region 6 Volunteer Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors Honored

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks honored the service of its Region 6 Hunter and Bow Hunter Education volunteer instructors at the annual workshop, which was held on Saturday, March 24, in Wolf Point and on Sunday, March 25, in Havre.

The workshop is an annual event that invites all the volunteer instructors across the region for a day filled with visiting, updates to the program, demonstrations of new equipment and ideas, and most importantly, honoring years of service. This was the first time in Region 6 that two workshops were held, with the idea that more instructors could attend.

Receiving awards at this year's workshop were numerous instructors with service ranging from 5 to 45 years (please see the list below). All service award recipients receive a plaque, with other milestones receiving special awards, including: 10 year: engraved knife; 20 year: FWP belt buckle; 30 year: voucher for purchase of a firearm; 45 year: Filson vest. Highlighting this year's awards were Ken Wiederrick of Malta and Jon Forbes of Saco, who have been instructing for 30 years, and Roger Wimmer of Wolf Point, who has been an instructor for 45 years.

"As evidenced by the decades of service our instructors give to our programs, there's an incredible amount of dedication and commitment out there in our communities," said FWP Region 6 Information and Education Program Manager Marc Kloker. "These volunteers play a key role in shaping future Montana hunters by providing training in safety, ethics, conservation, and the proper use of firearms and archery equipment. Ken Wiederrick and Jon Forbes, and others like them, work very hard to pass the state's rich hunting heritage on to the next generations."

"Roger Wimmer has been an instructor for 45 years...that is three generations of hunters he has taught," Kloker continued. "It's just remarkable that Roger and other volunteers have that type of long-term dedication. Please be sure to thank your local hunter and bow hunter education instructors when you see them."

Also receiving a special award, for the Region 6 instructor of the year, was Rick Harman of Havre. "I have seen Rick's dedication and commitment to hunter education firsthand," says Kloker. "He is the local lead instructor in Havre, which has the largest population of hunter education students in the region. Rick does a great job coordinating instructors, relates well to students, demonstrates all aspects of safe and responsible hunting, and is a very dedicated instructor."

In addition to the awards, many door prizes were also given away. Donations from Glasgow businesses D & G Sports and Western and Markle's Ace Hardware, along with items provided by FWP, allowed everyone to go away with something.

FWP is thankful to have hundreds of qualified instructors across the state, and always welcomes new additions. For information on becoming a Hunter or Bowhunter Education instructor in Region 6, please contact Marc Kloker at 406-228-3704, or go to the website at fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/instructors/ to learn more and apply.

Region 6 Hunter and Bowhunter Education Award List:

5 Year Hunter Ed

Seth Axtman, Daniels

Ryan Williamson, Sheridan

5 Year Bowhunter Ed

Carmen Fast Horse, Valley/Roosevelt

David Moon, Valley

10 Year Hunter Ed

Scott Kinzie, Roosevelt

Ryan Pawlowski, McCone

Shane Reed, Roosevelt

Joe Wiles, Valley

10 Year Bowhunter Ed

Todd Alisch, Hill

Scott Kinzie, Roosevelt

Joe Wiles, Valley

15 Year Hunter Ed

Colleen Buck, Sheridan

Thornton Lindsay, Hill

Andrew McKean, Valley

15 Year Bowhunter Ed

Nick Siebrasse, Hill

20 Year Hunter Ed

Charles Coe, Hill

Rick Fisher, Blaine

Kenneth Hannah, Hill

Marlene Hannah, Hill

Mark Stole, Hill

25 Year Hunter Ed

Larry Cornelia, McCone

Darwin Anderson, Hill

Mike Carr, Hill

Miles Hutton, Blaine

30 Year Hunter Ed

Kenneth Wiederrick, Phillips

Jon Forbes, Phillips

45 Year Hunter Ed

Roger Wimmer, Roosevelt