09-15-2007, 01:10 AM
One might say Rick Stafford, Wagoner, has made his career as a volunteer hunter education instructor into a family affair.
"He has gotten his entire family involved in hunting and hunter education," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "He even proposed to his wife at a hunter education course and taught a class the day of his wedding."<br />
Such dedication recently led the Wildlife Department to recognize Stafford as the 2007 Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for his nearly 25 years of service to new sportsmen.<br />
Stafford became a volunteer hunter education instructor in 1985, and since that time has certified more than 2,100 students.<br />
"Rick is a very special volunteer," Meek said. "He is very conscientious about his job, has a great attitude and works very hard."<br />
Hunter Education is a free program offered by the Wildlife Department and is credited for a 70-percent decrease in hunting related accidents and fatalities over the past 30 years in Oklahoma.<br />
Hunter education covers a variety of hunting related topics including firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation, survival, archery, muzzleloading and hunter responsibility. It is available as a standard eight-hour course or through an internet or workbook home study course.<br />
Hunter Education certification is required for anyone under the age of 16 who plans to hunt big game such as deer, elk or antelope in Oklahoma. Hunters under 16 years of age who plan to hunt small game need hunter education certification or else must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has completed hunter education or who is exempt from hunter education (includes hunters age 36 and older, those honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or members of the National Guard). Individuals who are 16-35 years of age and have not completed a hunter education course can purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and hunt when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has completed hunter education or who is exempt from hunter education.<br />
"The apprentice-designated hunting license has made hunting even safer for youngsters and adults while allowing those age 16-35 a chance to go hunting with an experienced, responsible adult hunter, but hunter education is still strongly recommended for anyone who plans on hunting or shooting firearms or archery in Oklahoma," Meek said.<br />
Last year, about 15,000 individuals received hunter education certification through the Wildlife Department by attending courses throughout the year led by game wardens and other Wildlife Department employees as well as volunteers like Stafford.<br />
Stafford is one of about 200 volunteer hunter education instructors across the state. To learn how to become a hunter education instructor, contact Lance Meek at (405) 522-4572. To learn more about hunter education in Oklahoma or to find the nearest course, log on to wildlifedepartment
"He has gotten his entire family involved in hunting and hunter education," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "He even proposed to his wife at a hunter education course and taught a class the day of his wedding."<br />
Such dedication recently led the Wildlife Department to recognize Stafford as the 2007 Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for his nearly 25 years of service to new sportsmen.<br />
Stafford became a volunteer hunter education instructor in 1985, and since that time has certified more than 2,100 students.<br />
"Rick is a very special volunteer," Meek said. "He is very conscientious about his job, has a great attitude and works very hard."<br />
Hunter Education is a free program offered by the Wildlife Department and is credited for a 70-percent decrease in hunting related accidents and fatalities over the past 30 years in Oklahoma.<br />
Hunter education covers a variety of hunting related topics including firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation, survival, archery, muzzleloading and hunter responsibility. It is available as a standard eight-hour course or through an internet or workbook home study course.<br />
Hunter Education certification is required for anyone under the age of 16 who plans to hunt big game such as deer, elk or antelope in Oklahoma. Hunters under 16 years of age who plan to hunt small game need hunter education certification or else must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has completed hunter education or who is exempt from hunter education (includes hunters age 36 and older, those honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or members of the National Guard). Individuals who are 16-35 years of age and have not completed a hunter education course can purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and hunt when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has completed hunter education or who is exempt from hunter education.<br />
"The apprentice-designated hunting license has made hunting even safer for youngsters and adults while allowing those age 16-35 a chance to go hunting with an experienced, responsible adult hunter, but hunter education is still strongly recommended for anyone who plans on hunting or shooting firearms or archery in Oklahoma," Meek said.<br />
Last year, about 15,000 individuals received hunter education certification through the Wildlife Department by attending courses throughout the year led by game wardens and other Wildlife Department employees as well as volunteers like Stafford.<br />
Stafford is one of about 200 volunteer hunter education instructors across the state. To learn how to become a hunter education instructor, contact Lance Meek at (405) 522-4572. To learn more about hunter education in Oklahoma or to find the nearest course, log on to wildlifedepartment