GREAT FALLS — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently honored the service of central Montana hunter, bowhunter and trapper education instructors at a workshop in Great Falls. At the 2026 Region 4 workshop, 23 instructors were awarded for their service milestones, ranging from 5 to 35 years of teaching. The latest honorees are listed below.
The heart of Montana's hunter, bowhunter and trapper education programs are the dedicated volunteer instructors who keep Montana's traditions strong by promoting safety, ethics and responsibility. FWP currently relies on nearly 1,000 volunteer instructors across Montana to teach these programs to over 9,000 youth and adults who completed a course last year. There are 166 hunter and bowhunter education instructors spread across communities in Region 4.
"The instructors who volunteer their time to teach new hunters and trappers are passionate and dedicated to Montana's hunting tradition and especially to teaching safe firearm skills," said Dave Hagengruber, FWP regional communication and education manager in Great Falls. "These people serve their communities and Montana hunters in a very meaningful way and are vital to the success of these programs. They deserve sincere thanks and gratitude for their volunteer spirit and effort."
FWP encourages anyone interested in the future of hunting, improving sportsmanship and safety in the field and teaching an appreciation for the hunting resources in Montana to consider becoming an instructor. For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter or in north central Montana, call Dave Hagengruber at 406-454-5845.
For more information on hunter, bowhunter, and trapper education in Montana, including upcoming courses, please visit: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education.
2026 Region 4 Instructor Service Awards
5 years hunter education
Indy Goodhart – Geyser
Nick Henry – Great Falls
5 years bowhunter education
Jessica Goodhart – Geyser
5 years trapper education
Keven Heinle – Fairfield
Robert Hodgkiss - Fairfield
10 years hunter education
Chuck Bostrum – Lewistown
Lane Gibney – Great Falls
Mitchell Peters – Fairfield
Clay Ronish – Great Falls
Sydnee Thomason – Great Falls
Katie Vivian - Vaughn
15 years hunter education
Jeni Frank – Shelby
25 years bowhunter education
Pamela Martin – Great Falls
25 years hunter education
Kale Sandman - Winnett
30 years hunter education
Dean Easton – Great Falls
George Edelburg – Great Falls
Mary McGivern – Great Falls
Kevin Mitchell – Shelby
Andrew Oestreich – Lewistown
35 years hunter education
David Kalina – Roy
35 years bowhunter education
Ralph Corbett - Winnett
Region 4 Instructor of the Year
Andrew Oestreich – Lewistown
Brent Lonner - Fairfield