Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors received service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop held Saturday, March 5 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. About 90 instructors attended the workshop and took part in training and an appreciation dinner.
All service award recipients receive a plaque; additional awards include: 10 year: engraved knife; 20 year: FWP belt buckle; 30 year: .357 pistol; 40 year: monogrammed jacket.
Highlights this year included: 15-year Bowhunter Education Awards for Jim Vashro (Kalispell), Bob Windauer (Kila), and Darrell Tessier (Trout Creek); 15-year Hunter Education awards for Don Bothwell (Kalispell), Jeff Moser (Kalispell), Rocky Santorno (Charlo), Keith Barrows (Arlee), Lee Ressler (Rexford), and Lisa Brown (Plains); 20-year Hunter Education awards for Andy Larrson (St. Ignatius), Sean Corrigan (Kalispell), and Gary Mocko (Eureka); 25 year awards for Bill Witts (Polson) and Dave Helmrick (Troy); and 30-year awards for Ricky Brabek (Libby), Ron Hvizdak (Eureka) and Dan Kelly (Troy). Phil Crismore of Plains received his 40-year Hunter Education award. Wally Wilkinson (Whitefish) and Timber Stevens (Kalispell) received the 2010 Warden’s Choice awards. Instructors Pat McVay (Kalispell) and Bob Larrson (St Ignatius) were recognized by the group; each has taught 54 years in the program.
All Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors are volunteers for FWP. They provide safety, ethics, and firearms and archery equipment handling training to young students across Montana. In Region 1 (northwest Montana) more than 300 instructors train more than 2,000 students each year.