Emmett Walker, third from left, being presented with the Instructor of the Year award. ODFW staff also pictured. -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

BEND, Ore.—Emmett Walker of Hermiston was named the 2008 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s biannual Hunter Education Conference in Bend on April 18, 2009.

Walker has been involved in the Hunter Education program for the past 11 years and currently teaches five to six classes that certify about 200 students each year. He works within his community to promote hunter safety. Walker has also taken a lead role in the state’s voluntary Bowhunter Education program, working to improve the program and certify new Bowhunter Education instructors.

“Emmett is passionate about providing the best teaching opportunities for his students and represents the best of what we want to see our students become,” said Chris Willard, ODFW hunter education coordinator.

Emmett was nominated for the award by other Hunter Education instructors in the state but ODFW staff made the final selection of him for the award.

Under Oregon law, persons under 18 must pass a Hunter Education class before they can hunt. The classes cover important issues including hunter ethics and respect for private landowners; wildlife management and identification; firearms handling and safety; hunt preparation and techniques; survival; and introductory bowhunting. All classes are taught by certified volunteers dedicated to passing on the tradition of hunting to future generations.

There are currently 680 active instructors in ODFW’s Hunter Education program and they annually teach about 6,500 students.

For more information, visit "http://www.dfw.state.or.us/education/hunter/index.asp