FWP honors hunter education instructors

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7 honored its dedicated corps of volunteer instructors during its annual Spring Hunter/Bowhunter Education Workshop in Miles City on Feb. 22.

About 50 instructors and FWP staff gathered at Miles Community College for a day of program updates, socializing and service awards. There are about 100 instructors in communities throughout Region 7, and roughly half of the instructors attended the workshop.

These volunteers donate many hours of their time, sharing their stories and their experience, to ensure that future generations of hunters are equipped with a thorough understanding and respect for the land, animals and landowners, as well as an ethical approach to a time-honored tradition.

"Without all of you, this program would not be possible, so thank you for your dedication and your service," said Wayde Cooperider, outdoor skills and safety supervisor based in Helena."

Jeff Faycosh, a Hunter Education instructor in Custer County, was recognized as the 2019 Instructor of the Year. Faycosh was nominated by Custer County Chief Hunter Education Instructor Caleb Bollman, who noted Faycosh's 18 years of service to the program. Faycosh helps with two to three classes annually and works with about 100 students.

"Jeff earns the respect and admiration of students because he has a wealth of hunting and life experience that he thoughtfully shares during courses in a way that keeps students interested and engaged," Bollman said.

Faycosh served as Custer County Hunter Ed chief instructor from 2004 to 2015. During that time, he and fellow county chiefs Jim Arneson and Dave Smith started teaching weekend courses to accommodate other extracurricular activities, which was well received. They also developed visual aids and thoughtful stations to bring the manual to life for students, Bollman said.

Faycosh is a board member for the Custer Rod and Gun Club, promoting youth participation through Hunter Ed and the shooting club. He organized a .22-caliber shoot and a ladies trap night, expanding opportunities for youths and women.

"His faithful service in the Hunter Education program has helped recruit new instructors and has sent more than a thousand young hunters into the field prepared to start their hunting career as safe, ethical hunters," Bollman said.

Faycosh's name was engraved on a plaque displayed at the FWP regional office, and he received an engraved knife.

Several other instructors also were recognized for their years of service:

30 years of service in Hunter Education: Jim Arneson, Miles City

25 years of service in Hunter Education: Tom Horn of Cohagen, Charlie Osborn of Glendive and Dave Smith of Miles City

20 years of service in Hunter Education: Richard Madler of Baker and Ron Sorenson of Sidney

20 years of service in Bowhunter Education: Jeff Noble of Broadus and Richard Madler of Baker

10 years of service in Hunter Education: Caleb Bollman of Miles City, Mike Miller of Miles City, Sandra Miller of Miles City, Dillon Miller of Miles City, Erika Drake of Colstrip

5 years of service in Hunter Education: Ryan Nottestad of Glendive, Daniel Sand of Forsyth, Kyle Senner of Richey, Greg Sodt of Richey and Shawn Wahl of Broadus

5 years of service in Bowhunter Education: Tom Hedegaard of Sidney, Alexandria Lacquement of Terry, Troy Myers of Glendive, Charlie Osborn of Glendive, Ron Sorenson of Sidney, Shawn Wahl of Broadus, Ed Williamson of Glendive and Duane Zvorak of Sidney

Challenge coins were awarded to Edward "Bud" Powell of Ekalaka, Keith Hall of Miles City and Tom Hedegaard of Sidney.

Powell received a challenge coin at for teaching Hunter Education and Bow Education for 25 years. He has kept teaching as the only instructor in the Ekalaka area even though he has faced numerous health challenges, including compromised eyesight. Powell frequently hosts students at his cabins, and this past season he allowed Chronic Wasting Disease technicians to stay at his place while conducting sampling in the area.

Cooperider filled instructors in on big game application deadlines being moved to April 1. Cooperider and FWP Region 7 Office Manager Erin O'Connor explained recent changes in licensing, which include licenses being printed on regular paper, and hunters having the option of printing licenses at home.

Cooperider shared recent Montana cases of accidental shootings among hunters, stressing safety lessons in classes. Over the past five years, he said nearly 28,000 people have participated in Hunter Education classes and nearly 5,000 have taken Bowhunter Education in Montana. Females account for 38 percent of people seeking Hunter Ed classes.

Cooperider touched on program updates including revisions to the Hunter Ed test, new instructor cards, changes in background checks and changes in software for tracking instructor hours.

Broadus-area FWP Biologist Ryan DeVore provided an update on Chronic Wasting Disease. Statewide, FWP collected and paid for testing of 7,000 samples for deer, elk and moose. From those, 131 animals tested positive, including one elk and one moose. In FWP Region 7, 1,320 samples were collected, and six positives were found in mule deer and white-tailed deer.

DeVore said FWP is still weighing the data collected and deciding what management steps to take for next season.