FROM THE NC WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

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 www.ncwildlife.org for schedules and locations near you or call (919) 707-0031 for more information.

About N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update – news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more – delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go to www.ncwildlife.org/enews.
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