DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
July 25, 2014
DNR Hunter Ed volunteer recognized for education efforts
Gallery of Guns, in appreciation of outstanding and uniquely committed volunteer efforts of Hunter Education instructors around the United States, has recognized the first of six instructors crowned Champions of Hunter Education for their outstanding work in the Hunter Education field.
These instructors break the confines of average teaching, giving tirelessly to the future of hunting and setting standards in their state for safe and ethical hunting teachings, and recruitment and retention of thousands of students.
Jack Truesdale of Lugoff was one of the first two instructors recognized. Jack has served for eight years as a volunteer hunter education instructor for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). During the past year, Jack taught hunter education in over seven counties with travel times to teach totaling over 200 hours for the year. For his efforts, Jack was selected as the 2014 Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year by the DNR Hunter Education Section.
He has overcome a number of barriers both inside and outside the normal constrains of teaching a Hunter Education course in his career as a volunteer for Hunter Education. Building relationships with the Kershaw County Soil Conservation Board, Jack obtained a free site for classes with lunches provided.
Outside of the classroom, Jack serves as line judge at the state finals for the National Archery in the Schools Program in Columbia, as well as assisting with the coordination of several Take One Make One (TOMO) youth hunting events. During the 2013-14 hunting season, Jack organized two deer hunts and one turkey hunt for TOMO participants. In addition to youth hunts, Jack has also assisted with starting several hunting clinics to teach new hunters about the different types of game that can be hunted. In 2013, he helped to coordinate a duck clinic with the Chester County DU Chapter and the SCDNR to teach students how to hunt waterfowl. This clinic involved a shooting lesson, overview on decoys and setup, and a complete review of how to clean ducks and prepare them for the table.
DNR Captain Billy Downer states, “There are many good volunteer hunter education instructors across the United States that give of their time to teach and instruct students in hunter education. Jack Truesdale certainly meets this criteria, but it is what Jack does beyond the classroom that sets him apart from other instructors. His dedication to the total hunter education experience and for mentoring young people in the outdoors is a unique quality and worthy of recognition.”
Both of the Davidson’s Champions of Hunter Education will receive a Ruger American rifle from Davidson’s, and a hearty “thank you.”
Davidson's Inc. of Prescott, Arizona is one of the largest firearms wholesalers in America. Davidson's stocks a vast inventory of firearms and possesses years of industry experience. In November of 1998, GalleryofGuns.com was launched by Davidson's to actively promote the product of its suppliers and the businesses of its customers, the nation's firearm retailers.
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