MILES CITY – Volunteer Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education instructors in southeast Montana were honored Saturday during an annual instructor workshop held at Miles City’s Sleep Inn & Suites.
Nearly 35 instructors were in attendance representing 10 counties. They heard updates on the education programs and on pending legislation. They also heard FWP Region 7 wildlife manager Brett Dorak discuss mule deer management. Kylie Kembel, statewide coordinator for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program, detailed efforts to recruit volunteer instructors to teach courses for women around the region.
Caleb Bollman, chief Hunter Ed instructor for Custer County and a Bowhunter Ed instructor, was honored as Instructor of the Year for FWP Region 7. Bollman has been with the program since 2011, becoming lead county instructor by 2015.
In his nomination for Bollman, fellow instructor Jeff Faycosh said, “Despite being a busy professional, a very active father and soccer coach, Caleb is the cornerstone to the Hunter Education program in Custer County. Caleb has a way of reaching out to the students and keeping them energized.”
Jim Arneson, another nominator and instructor, said of Bollman, “His care and dedication to the Hunter Education program shows his investment … Caleb brings us all together, makes every class a team effort and has brought our instructors closer as a team for Region 7. I am honored to know Caleb and teach our youth alongside him.”
Two instructors were recognized for 45 years of service to the program: Gary Huber of Terry and Ron Thomas of Hysham, both for Hunter Education.
Also receiving service awards were:
30 years:
Bud Powell of Ekalaka for both Hunter and Bowhunter Ed
Aaron Arthur of Miles City, Hunter Education
Randy Buck of Baker, Hunter Education
25 years:
Kyle Vennes of Plevna, Hunter Education
20 years:
Mike Anderson of Forsyth, Hunter Education
John Blain of Broadus, Hunter Education
Larry Christensen of Sidney, Hunter Education
Travis Gamble of Hysham, Hunter Education
Eric Miller of Jordan, Hunter Education
15 years:
Randell Hopkins of Miles City, Hunter and Bowhunter Education
Dean Allen of Lame Deer, Hunter Education
Michael Morgan of Miles City, Hunter Education
Michael Myers of Colstrip, Hunter Education
Mikenna O’Donnell of Baker, Hunter Education
10 years:
Michael Morgan of Miles City, Bowhunter Education
Jeremy Fowler of Terry, Hunter Education
5 years:
Robert Zabroski of Miles City, Hunter Education
In addition to service awards, challenge coins were presented to Aaron Arthur, Jim Arneson, Jeff Faycosh, Randell Hopkins, Mike Morgan, Jeff McKinney of Miles City and Lauryn Pfaffinger of Forsyth.
Wayde Cooperider, FWP’s outdoor skills and safety supervisor in Helena, updated instructors on the new Trapper Education Program. Legislation has mandated that trappers 12 and up must either complete a Trapper Education course or have purchased a trapping license in at least three prior years. FWP is in the process of recruiting and training volunteer instructors to deliver the course. Miles City is hosting a Trapper Education Instructor Academy on June 16-18 at Miles Community College to train instructors, who will then teach the mandatory classes. For more information, contact FWP at 406-234-0926 or email mprell@mt.gov.
There is always a need for volunteer instructors in this area for Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact FWP at 406-234-0926, email mprell@mt.gov or visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov.
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