RALEIGH, N.C. - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently honored 12 hunter education instructors from across the state who had achieved 1,000 volunteer hours or more of service.
Trophies and congratulations were presented during the Wildlife Commissioners' meeting on Oct. 13 at the Wildlife Resources Commission headquarters, located on the Centennial Campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh. The instructors received a standing ovation from the commissioners.
The honorees and their hometowns are:
* Terry Boyce, Elizabeth City
* John Hall, Trenton
* Ernest Darden, Fayetteville
* James Edwards, Stedman
* Karl Koval, Hope Mills
* Walter Wilson, Lillington
* Cody Reed, Greensboro
* Charles Kearns, Lexington
* Gary Steeley, Kannapolis
* Link Grass, Denver
* Bruce Sweezy, Hickory
* George Pullman, Arden
"Instructors give up their personal time to teach and to be taught, since being updated in training and teaching techniques is a requirement for certification," said the state hunting education coordinator, Capt. Chris Huebner with the Division of Law Enforcement of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. "We appreciate them and the support of their family and friends to do this. Their time and effort saves lives and saves the state money."
There are currently 772 hunter education instructors active in North Carolina.
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 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.
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