We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
"Its always rewarding when the kids see me at the school Monday morning after a successful hunt and tell me stories and show me pictures," said Don Swenson. What he is referring to is one of the reasons that he has enjoyed being a Hunter Education Instructor here in Blaine County for the past 34 years. Swenson works at Chinook High School and sees many of the students he had in Hunters Ed while working at the school
Swenson hasn't been alone in the education process, working alongside Mischelle Fisher for the past 27 years and her Husband Rick for the past 21. With a combined 82 years instructing area youth and a few adults each year all three are passionate about their efforts.
According to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website, "If you were born after January 1, 1985 you are required to show proof of completing a Montana Hunter Safety and Education course or an approved hunter safety course from any another state or province prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting license, whether the hunting license is for the rifle or archery season."
Don, Rick and Mischelle all share the same passion for wanting to educate hunters on how to be safe in the field with their firearms as well as being good stewards of the sport. "I had a gun accident myself," said Swenson. "About 35 years ago I guess. Luckily I was able to avoid any serious injuries and thought it was a good time to start teaching kids about how to be safe in the field and I've been doing that for 34 years."
Mischelle is very passionate about shooting sports and wants others to enjoy it as well, "I love teaching any subject that I am passionate about. Teaching others that have that same passion about firearm safety is a real joy." Mischelle added, "Shooting sports in general, along with hunting to provide people with the opportunity to safely enjoy shooting sports is why I do it."
Being a Hunters Safety Instructor certainly requires a passionate person to fill that roll. It's completely voluntary and requires a lot of ones time. "Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recognizes instructors with a plaque every 10 years," said Mischelle. "I think they use to give a gun away at one point but they don't do that any more. For my 30th year I received a plaque and a cash award, I think it was like $500, I'm not sure," said Swenson.
Through the years the course, like everything else, has changed with the times, "When I first started it was more hands on, focused on safety and instruction and it has transitioned onto more focus on ethics in the field, being aware and public appearance," said Swenson.
"I think it used to be a lot more classroom learning and students listening to the instructor. Now students are actively engaged in the outdoors more with the field course, hands on handling firearms," stated Mischelle.
The Field Course part of the training has only been required by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) the past few years but students in Blaine County have experienced it for quite some time. "Rick built the first field course in Montana years ago and the kids really enjoy it, they get so excited when its time for that part of the course."
Some changes the MFWP has considered making to the course is requiring a live fire session with all students, "There are a few counties in the state that already provide live fire instruction but we don't here because of the many liability issues," added Mischelle.
Through the years class sizes in Blaine County have remained pretty consistent, "We maybe had 30-35 students when I first started and now we have been pretty steady at around 25. Some years are high, some low, just like everything else," said Mischelle. "We have always seemed to have three or four adults in each class.
One thing that has been suggested by some is the possibility of requiring the classes be given in the fall. The idea being that the student would have the information fresh in their head with the start of the season following completion of the class.
"We have always held the class here in Blaine County during the fall. Most classes now are held in the spring elsewhere in the state," commented Mischelle. "We are actually looking at the possibility of moving our classes to earlier in the year, February, March."
The main idea behind Blaine County Hunter Safety considering a move is to ensure that everyone who wants to take the class can. "In the fall so many young students are busy with football, basketball, soccer or taking that one last family trip before winter sets," said Fisher. "The kids are forced to make tough decisions about taking the class or not. We feel like maybe there are a number of kids that are missing out on the opportunity."
With so many points suggesting that a move to the first part of the year would be good for the class, there are concerns about it being the right move, "The draw back is that all the kids seem to just know that classes are in the fall, it's ingrained in them. Our worry is that if we make the move that not all the students will get the memo and still miss out on the class."
As one can expect there are moments over the past 20 plus years of instructing the class that these three instructors can have a good chuckle about.
"I just love it. I get overwhelmed sometimes but Don and Rick just keep going. There are so many memories, so much joy, it's hard to single just one out," stated Mischelle.
Rick found humor in those who were not technically part of the class, "I always found the moms to be some of the funniest memories. So many have showed up with their child, disinterested in what was going on. They were just there to sit through the class and take their child home as soon as it was over. I've seen so many that ended up asking a few questions to start and then eventually take the test and become successful hunters alongside their child."
Swenson, Like Mischelle found it difficult to pick just one moment but has stated he's loved every year as an instructor. After 34 years, Don's not quit ready to step down, "I'll keep teaching as long as I am healthy and still have my memory. I'd like to get to 50 years though, that would be really good," concluded Swenson.
