Hunter Education instructor of the year named

Joseph Newell, of Oklahoma City, was recently recognized as the Hunter Education Instructor of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

“It really inspires me to see a volunteer like Joe who has made hunter education part of his life.” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “He’s always willing to put forth extra effort to improve the program.”

Newell, who has been a volunteer in the program for five years, conducted 22 hunter education classes in 2005 certifying more than 225 students. Additionally, Newell developed a lesson plan for the hunter education home study course.  The course allows students to complete four of their required eight credit hours with an at-home workbook or an online workbook.

About 14,000 students were certified in Oklahoma last year.  Each of the state’s 77 counties provides at least two classes annually with additional courses offered depending on population concentration.  Classes are presented by Wildlife Department personnel and more than 200 volunteers.

Persons born on or after January 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course in order to buy a hunting license. Oklahoma's certification is accepted in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. To view complete hunter education course listing log on to wildlifedepartment.com.         

Volunteer instructors are trained to coordinate and instruct hunter education classes and other events. The standard hunter education course runs eight hours in length and consists of a variety of segments including firearm safety, survival, wildlife conservation, archery, muzzleloading and sometimes live fire. Hunters wishing to pass on their heritage by becoming a hunter education instructor should contact Meek at (405) 522-4572.

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