For nearly 70 years, Michigan has conducted hunter education classes for new hunters, teaching firearms safety and the regulations behind having a safe and successful hunt. This year, during special recognition ceremonies at a series of Natural Resources Commission meetings around the state, the Department of Natural Resources is honoring its long-time instructors who have been with the program for more than 40 years.
“Our hunter education program has trained over 1 million hunters since its start in 1946 and currently trains about 20,000 students a year,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “We could not do this without the help of our hunter education instructors who volunteer because of their love of the outdoors and their passion for passing along that love to the next generation of conservation leaders. We are proud to honor them for their longtime commitment to making sure everyone has a safe experience in the woods.”
At least 42 active hunter education instructors have given more than 40 years of service to the program, including Charles Duncan of Bay City who is the longest-serving instructor, having volunteered for over 49 years. Other instructors honored at the May 8 NRC meeting include:
- Jack W. Cox, Battle Creek
John W. Dicks, Saline
Glenn C. Duncan, Bay City (son of Charles Duncan)
Paul C. Hayes, Flushing
Carl D. Holsinger, Holland
Wayne L. Hoyt, Commerce Township
William Johnston, Alto
Cloyse Lundie, Durand
Larry E. Martin, Ovid
Dennis D. McMahan, Freeland
William G. Osladil, Utica
Gary L. Pawlitz, Macomb
Allan G. Smith, Westphalia
Verne Spiekerman, Reese
Larry L. Whitney, Dimondale
While having a crop of seasoned, veteran instructors is an advantage for Michigan’s hunter education program, there also is a need to recruit new instructors in all regions of the state, according to Lt. Andrew Turner who manages the recreation safety program for the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division.
“We greatly appreciate our veteran instructors who have been with the program for more than 40 years,” said Turner. “If you have an interest in passing along your experience in hunting to new hunters, we need you in our program. This is a great way to ensure that the sport you enjoy today is enjoyed by future generations.”
For more information on Michigan’s hunter education program, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationalsafety.
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