Gun Safes—How Safe is Your Safe? Building Blocks …Gun Safes—How Safe is Your Safe? Experticity...

For Distribution in Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and the United States of America.

Volume 17, No. 3Fall 2017

Gun Safes—How Safeis Your Safe?

Experticity:A New VIP Program

for VolunteerHunter Education

Instructors!

BuildingBlocks ofTree StandSafety

Features Cover Photo Courtesy of Jupiter ImagesVol. 17 No.3 – Fall 2017

www.IHEA-USA.org This issue made possible by Fall 2017 • Hunter & Shooting Sports Education Journal 3

The International Hunter Education Association – UnitedStates of America (IHEA-USA) is an organization involvingsome 70,000 instructors across the United States ofAmerica. The IHEA-USA is affiliated with the Association ofFish and Wildlife Agencies.

The Hunter & Shooting Sports Education Journal is theofficial publication of the International Hunter EducationAssociation-United States of America. It is published fourtimes annually (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and distrib-uted to more than 70,000 administrators and volunteerinstructors in Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, New Zealand,Peru, South Africa and the United States of America, that areresponsible for education programs that total 650,000 newhunters annually. The purpose of the publication is toincrease the skill and effectiveness of hunter education inadministrators and instructors so they can improve theenthusiasm, safety, ethics and proficiency of their students asthey embark on lifetime enjoyment of hunting and theshooting sports.

The articles and stories contained herein are theopinions of the authors and not necessarily those of theIHEA-USA, its personnel or publishers. Material containedherein cannot be copied or reproduced in any form withoutthe express permission of the IHEA-USA.

Neither the IHEA-USA, nor its Publisher, sponsors, oradvisors assume any responsibility or liability for the accu-racy of the information and/or articles published herein.Under no circumstance will the IHEA-USA, nor its Publisher,its sponsors or advisors be liable for any form of loss,damage or expense arising or resulting from reliance uponthe information contained herein, whether the same isbased upon strict liability, tort or otherwise.

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Craig Robinson • Wireless GroupInternational Hunter Education Association-

United States of AmericaMission Statement:

Continuing the heritage of huntingworldwide by developing safe, responsible,

knowledgeable and involved hunters.

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This issue of the Journal made possible by:

Departments

10 Gun Safes—How Safe isYour Safe?By Joe Arterburn

Lessons Learned: WeCannot Assume OthersUnderstand the WordsWe UseBy Michael Van Durme, Hunting andShooting Related Consultants LLC

12

4 President’s Corner: Mentorship is Rewarding By Melissa Neely, President IHEA-USA

6 Executive Director’s Comments: Becoming aVolunteer Instructor

By Brad Heidel, Executive Director IHEA-USA

8 NSSF Notes: Be Like Smokey By Jennifer L.S. Pearsall, NSSF Director, Public Relations

16 A, B, C’s of Tree Stand Safety By Glen Mayhew, DHSc, NRP

20 When It Comes to the Students…RIDEM! Submitted by Mr. John W. Kunkle, Idaho Hunter Education Instructor

34 2017 Heritage Hunt Winners Announced

A s hunter education instructors,we are one of the gateways fora prospective hunter to become

a first-time hunter. Our goal as educatorsis to train safe, ethical, and responsiblehunters. For many of us, our passion toeducate goes well beyond the classroom.We enjoy not only molding a new hunter,but teaching a hunter a new aspect ofhunting such as the art of turkey huntingor mastering the muzzleloader. Thus, weare not only teachers, we are mentors. Mentorship is a truly rewarding expe-

rience for both mentor and student.Giving back to a culture that has givenus so much, while conserving the legacyof hunting for future generations, is agift that can’t be measured. This isn’talways as easy as it sounds and can beintimidating at first. Steven Spielbergsaid, “The delicate balance of mentoringsomeone is not creating them in yourown image, but giving them the oppor-tunity to create themselves.” Finding

that balance requires a mentor to trulyput the student first and allow them toreach their personal end goals throughtrial and error while remaining safe.When I asked both mentors and

students the key attribute in a mentor,their number-one response was“patience.” Until you take a new hunterafield, you don’t realize how muchyou’ve learned from your mentors andpersonal experiences over the years. Asa mentor working alongside othermentors, such as Hunter EducationInstructors, I’ve gathered a few tips tohelp with the mentoring process:You don’t have to know everything

about everything to be a good mentor.What is easy to you, is a wealth ofknowledge to another. Don’t be afraidto share what you know.The experience of the hunt and sense

of comfort both physically and mentallyis just as important as the hunt itself andneeds to begin before the day of the

hunt. Consider the following:Does the hunter have or know what

the right clothing is for the outing sothey’ll remain dry and comfortablewhile still within their financial means? Does their hunting equipment fit

them? How does the stock of theirfirearm fit to their shoulder or cheek?Can they draw back the bow comfort-ably and with the proper draw length?Are they prepared for what to expect

for the physical aspect of the hunt;whether it is a half a mile walk on a dirtroad to a blind or an all-day climb in theRockies with a heavy pack? The rightpre-season conditioning and workingwith any physical limitations of hunterand mentor can prevent injury or anxi-ety related to their fitness level.Do they have the necessary gear for

the hunt? The Internet is a wealth ofinformation, but an eager hunter maystill be carrying too much gear, whichcan be taxing, or too little gear andunprepared. Do they have their safetyequipment such as compass and treestand harness?During the hunt, be patient and go

slow. We didn’t learn everything in oneday and neither can a new hunter. Yourfirst day hunting may be answering amultitude of questions such as:“Was that a deer?” to which you

answer no it’s a squirrel. “How do youknow?”—leading into an explanation ofhow to tell the difference and not justsaying “because I do.”“Why does the wind matter?” and

“Why are we set up here and not there?”which leads to an explanation of habitats,micro-climates, draws and runs, elevationwith wind or temperature. You neverknow how much of a meteorologist youare until you answer these questions!Lead by a good example that fosters

understanding. Benjamin Franklin said,“Tell me and I forget, teach me and Imay remember, involve me and I’ll

President’s Corner

4 Hunter & Shooting Sports Education Journal • Fall 2017 This issue made possible by www.IHEA-USA.org

By Melissa Neely, President IHEA-USA • [email protected]

President’s Corner

Mentorship Is Rewarding


learn.” Don’t just recite the four rules offirearm safety: treat every firearm as ifit is loaded; keep your finger off thetrigger until ready to fire; know yourtarget and beyond; and keep yourmuzzle pointed in a safe direction—butdemonstrate it through your actionsduring the hunt and after. Leadingthrough understanding will not onlyhelp instill safe actions with knowledge,but muscle memory as well. This mayeven help you remember safety precau-tions you’ve become complacent withover time, making you a better hunter.Being a mentor doesn’t need to be an

overwhelming experience. If you aren’tready to take a hunter afield, there arestill other ways to help. Your actionsand ethics are being observed evenwhen you aren’t in the mindset of teach-ing. Children watch and learn fromeverything we do. My niece andnephews have emulated hunters sincethey could walk. Even if they’re a bittoo young to go out in the field, I’vefound them ready to hunt in their ownway. One of the youngest got out hiscamo backpack, hunting boots, and popgun to watch and “hunt turkeys” in thefield, all from the front porch steps.

Other ways to inspirea new hunter may be ahike in the woods toinstill an appreciationfor all the forest has tooffer, sharing a gamefeast, practicing outdoorhunting skills for funlike using a map andcompass, processing thegame you’ve harvested,or as simple as leavingyour hunting magazinesaround to learn from. There is always a

need for more mentors.Students come in everyage, from any culture,and with varying back-grounds of experience.Mentorship opportuni-ties may be found in theclassroom as you help anew hunter educationinstructor develop theirskills or through hunterrecruitment and retention

projects near you. Sadly, the majority ofhunters are unaware of these programsand only 11% of active hunters and 2%of inactive hunters participate in theseprograms1. To learn more about theseprograms, check with your state naturalresources agency or department; localhunting and fishing clubs; local orregional wildlife chapters such asDucks Unlimited, National Wild TurkeyFederation, Pheasants Forever Chapter,White-tails Unlimited and so manymore!! As you head out this fall, please

consider being a mentor and take someone hunting. You’ll learn fromthem as well and continue to grow as aconservationist and hunter in new ways.If you do mentor, we’d love to hear yourstories, experiences and share yourphotos to inspire more mentors andhunters!n

1 Responsive Management/NationalShooting Sports Foundation. 2008. TheFuture of Hunting and the Shooting Sports:Research-Based Recruitment and RetentionStrategies. Produced for the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service under Grant Agreement CT-M-6-0, Harrisonburg, VA.

F or the majority of us reading this,I think I can say we are in ourmost cherished time of the year.

Autumn is here! Many of us havealready heard a bull elk bugle, shotsome doves, seen our first flight ofCanada geese heading south and areeagerly waiting for the whitetail rut tobegin. These are just a few of thethoughts that many of us will runthrough our minds this fall. Please makethe effort this season to take a newhunter with you so they too may cometo love this lifestyle.As I am writing this I have just

completed assisting in my secondhunter education class here inWisconsin with my mentor Jaime Ruiz.I have passed my background check

and have also passed my instructor written exam. I have now joined one of

the largest groups of volunteers in thisgreat country—I am a certified huntereducation instructor!During this process, I have had the

opportunity to learn new things, makenew friends and reflect on severalthings regarding hunter educationinstructors. One of the first things I realized was the great sense of satisfac-tion all of you get when a class iscompleted (and no, not the fact that theclass is finally over). These studentsworked really hard while doing thehands-on exercise and the book work.Their engagement over the five daysjust blew me away. On exam day, whichincluded a 40-question test and also ahands-on “field day” test, they were asnervous as if they would be for theirfirst driver’s exam. When they passed, Iam not sure who was more excited—meor them! High fives, knuckles, andhandshakes all around.Another observation, which I did not

anticipate, was the sense of camaraderiethat grew between the instructors aswell as the students. My first classincluded six students. One young ladyand five young men, one of which wasa bit more of a challenge than the rest.They all were eager to be a part of theclass and ALL were there because theyhad family involved in hunting. Withoutknowing more about them, they all alsoappeared to come from different back-grounds. These kids did not know eachother from Adam prior to coming to thisclass. What amazed me was, much likehunting itself, the class and the commongoal of passing brought these kidstogether over five days and formed newfriendships. I too also now have a senseof the fellowship between hunter educa-tion instructors.These are just two of the many obser-

vations that came out my experience ofbecoming a new hunter educationinstructor.As time goes by and I get moreclasses under my belt, I know I will learnmore with “new eyes” how we all canmake the hunter education experiencebetter for both students and instructors.Hunting season is here, get out there

and enjoy it! Remember—get someoneout shooting and hunting that has neverhunted before, and have a safe hunt.nEmail Brad at [email protected].


By Brad Heidel, Executive Director IHEA-USA

Executive Director’s Comments

Becoming a VolunteerInstructor

I t’s the time of year everyhunter has waited for—fall!With thousands going afield,

whether to the range for someextra practice, the open plains ofthe West for antelope, or a marsh-side blind for early season teal orgoose before heading into October,November and December for deer,elk, pheasant, grouse and a host ofother game, this is the season somany of us wait for the momentthe last one ends.As many good things as the

autumn season brings to huntersand target shooters, it also bringsits risks. One we especially encour-age target shooters and hunters tobe aware of is their local firedanger conditions and to do theirpart to help prevent wildfires. To remind outdoors recreation-

ists to take precautions, NSSFoffers a poster and audio publicservice announcement containingprevention guidelines for usethroughout this fire season. Theposter encourages firearms ownersto know the fire danger levels,warnings, and regulations beforegoing target shooting or hunting infire-prone areas; to minimize therisk of starting a fire by not usingammunition that is steel-jacketedor contains steel-core compo-nents; to not use tracer rounds orexploding targets; to rememberthat a vehicle’s or ATV’s hotexhaust pipes could ignite a fire;and to properly extinguish camp-fires, among other fire-preventionmeasures.The poster is available in two

sizes—the standard 8.5 x 11 inches(available at nssf.org) and a larger11 x 17 size—and is suitable fordisplay. School teachers, huntereducation instructors, shootingrange owners and operators are all

encouraged to use these posters forgeneral display and in their teachingcurriculums, and NSSF’s 30-secondPSA on wildfire prevention is suitablefor radio, television and Internet use.The straightforward message is,“Wildfires have many causes—don’t beone of them!” Download the mp3 file athttp://nssfaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/NSSF_Fire_Precautions.mp3. Of course,since wildfire prevention is everyone’sresponsibility, we certainly want theyoung hunters and target shooters read-ing this magazine to do their part too.The posters and MP3 download areavailable to anyone, so think about howyou can use them in upcoming schoolprojects or when you’re introducingnew friends to the shooting sports. New this year, NSSF has introduced a

new infographic that can also be down-loaded for use in teaching programs andon social media. The colorful info-graphic contains sobering facts aboutthe scale and costs of wildfires, notingthat 90 percent of all wildfires arehuman-caused—some 62,000 wildfiresannually. Wildfires threaten animal andhuman life, and burn millions of acresof land. Suppressing wildfires isdangerous work, with wildfire-fightingcosts soaring in recent years until theynow amount to about $2 billion annu-ally, a staggering amount that does notinclude tolls on property, wildlife, habi-tat, and humans. Wildfires are mostlyassociated with the arid landscapes ofthe West, but as the infographic pointsout, the southern part of the UnitedStates has a large number as well. Trulythough, the potential for a fire existsanywhere a person fails to takeadequate precautions.Help prevent wildfires by sharing these

fire-prevention messages. Together wecan all have a safe, productive, fun-filledautumn in the field. Visit online atwww.nssf.org/education/PreventWildfires.cfm.n

By Jennifer L.S. Pearsall, NSSF Director, Public Relations

NSSF Notes

Be Like Smokey


Safe Firearm Storage

S o important is keeping yourfirearms in a safe environment,including when—especially

when—you aren’t around, that three ofthe National Shooting SportsFoundation’s Top Ten Safety Tips arerelated to safe firearm storage.Here’s a quick review of the three:Store your firearms in a locked cabinet,

safe, gun vault, or storage case when notin use, ensuring they are in a locationinaccessible by children and cannot behandled by anyone without yourpermissionStore your ammunition in a locked

location separate from firearmsUse a gun-locking device that renders

the firearm inoperable when not in use.A gun lock should be used as an addi-tional safety precaution and not as asubstitute for secure storage.Fortunately, there are a host of

companies who offer safe storage prod-ucts of all shapes, sizes, and varieties, sothere is a fit for every firearm-storageneed.Here’s a look at a variety of storage

options, representing some of the bestout there.

SnapSafeOne of the incon-

veniences often voicedabout conventional gunvaults is that they arebig and heavy and youneed a crew of profes-sional movers or goodfriends with stout backsto get them into place.And if you mentionyou want to put thesafe in the basement orupstairs, those friendscan be hard to find.SnapSafe, a Hornady company, has

solved the problem by offering modulargun safes that come in easier-to-carrypieces which you can assemble into asolid and secure safe with all the securityof a conventional welded safe.The SnapSafe modular assembly

system locks each piece together fromthe inside, making them as solid andimpenetrable as welded safes. The exte-rior walls are made of 9-gauge steel; thesledgehammer- and pry bar-resistantdoor of 3/16-inch solid steel. Also, 1½ -inch thick ceramic fiber provides fireprotection rated at 2,300 degrees for one

hour. Plus, door seals expandduring a fire to seal outsmoke, hot air, and waterwhich can damage or ruinthe safe’s contents.And, if you change your

mind about its location orneed to move it for anyreason, it’s just as easy todisassemble and move to anew location. SnapSafescome with digital ormechanical locks.In addition to Modular

Vaults, which are available infour sizes, SnapSafe offers a completeline of firearm-storage products, includ-ing under-bed safes, trunk safes andother specialty safes, lock boxes, andfirearm storage accessories. Check outthe complete line at snapsafe.com.

First Alert Portable Security SafeFirst Alert, perhaps best known as

the first name in smoke, fire, andcarbon-dioxide detectors and otherhome safety products, also manufacturesgun safes, cabinets and the Model 5200portable security safe, ideal for securinga handgun.

Gun Safes—How Safe is Your Safe?By Joe Arterburn


SnapSafe

“Owning a gun is an enormousresponsibility,” said Tarsila Wey,Director of Marketing for First Alert.“Without proper and safe storage, a guncan potentially fall into the wronghands, with potentially tragic results.Thus, it’s vital that gun owners areaware of their guns’ whereabouts andwho has access to them at all times.“The best way to achieve this is with

a gun safe,” Wey said. “Gun safes suchas the 5200DF provide the protectionhouseholds need, while also offeringquick accessibility to the owner.” With the 5200’s welded heavy-gauge

steel construction, protective foam inte-rior, and heavy-duty electronic lockingsystem, you can be assured your hand-gun is safely locked, but ready almostinstantly thanks to the programmablekeypad. Enter your code on the finger padand the spring-loaded hinges flip open,making your handgun easily accessible.It comes with a steel cable, rated to

withstand 1,500-pounds of force, forsecuring the safe to a permanent fixture.It measures 10 inches by 12 inches andis three inches deep, to provide lots ofsecure storage space.The First Alert line also includes gun

safes and gun cabinets. Browse thecomplete line at firstalert.com.

ShotLockShotLock’s innovative products keep

rifles, shotguns, and handguns secure butready at a moment’s notice. ShotLockputs firearm security where you want itand where you need it. Whether on a

wall, by a bed, in a closet, or in yourvehicle, ShotLock assures your firearmsare close, secure, and ready, accessiblewith large, easy-to-use push-buttonmechanical or electro-mechanical locksthat open in seconds.“After making the important decision

to become a gun owner, one of the firstthings you should, perhaps before evenpurchasing a gun, is to consider your gunsafety options,” said Ryan Thornburg ofShotLock. “Owning a gun comes withgreat responsibility, a responsibility tokeep yourself and others from unin-tended harm due to careless storage ofyour firearm.

“ShotLock offers a groundbreakingcombination of safety, security, andmost importantly, quick access,” he said.“Limiting access to people who aren’ttrained to handle a firearm, or those withless than honorable intentions, is yourresponsibility as a gun owner.”The Quick Drawer 200, for instance,

keeps a handgun safe, secure, yet handy,while the Shotgun 200 similarly securesmost pump, semi-auto, double-barreland over/under shotguns.Visit shotlock.com for more details.

Sports Afield Gun SafesSports Afield Gun Safes offer gun

owners and homeowners security andpeace of mind.“Sports Afield believes every respon-

sible gun owner should have theirfirearms protected and secure in a fire-rated gun safe,” said Jon Brown,Sports Afield Safes’ Vice President of

Sales. “We also believe responsiblehomeowners also should own a fire-rated gun safe to secure their importantpossessions, jewelry, electronics, docu-ments, baby pictures, passports, cash,and so on. Doing so will give them thepeace of mind knowing their belongingsand firearms are protected.”

Sports Afield offers gun safes, pistolvaults, and home and executive safes, inthree series—Maximum Security Series,Professional Series, and StandardSeries—to fit any need and budget.Features include: up to a 90-minute

fire rating at 1,200 degrees, in theMaximum Security and ProfessionalSeries; lifetime warranty against anydefect, theft, fire, or flood; electronicprogrammable lock, with overrideskeleton key; smoke and fire seal foradded protection; theft Alert AudioAlarm System, informs when your safehas been tampered with; 1.25-inchheavy-duty locking bolts; steel rein-forced upper shelving, with fully tuckedand carpeted adjustable shelving;deluxe door organizer, with handgun,ammunition magazines, and documentstorage; and power outlets with USBcharging ports.Their best-selling safe, Brown said,

is Model SA5926, with capacity for 24long guns and four handguns, andadjustable shelves. The safe weighs 395pounds, which, Brown said, makes it“quite manageable and maneuverable inyour home.”Visit sportsafieldsafes.com for more

information.n


ShotLock lineof products

First Alert Model 5200

SportsAfield

I grew up in a small town in westernNew York where most of myfriends hunted. The day after the

pheasant or deer opener, the line to turnin your absent slip to the nurse’s officeincluded most of the boys and manygirls. Pickups in the parking lot all hadgun racks. In the fall, the gun racks allhad shotguns, and by May they werereplaced with woodchuck rifles. Mydad hunted, and all my uncles andcousins hunted. From about age five on,my five brothers, some of my sisters,and I jockeyed for position to go withDad. Everyone I knew either hunted orcertainly knew about hunting.A few years ago, my partners and I

decided to write a book about theHunting Related Shooting Incidents(Hunting Accidents) we had investigatedand what can be learned from them. RodSlings had been a Hunter EducationSupervisor for Iowa for 23 years andfor 15 years Sgt. Keith Byers was thehead of the Georgia Critical IncidentReconstruction Team that investigatedall the hunting incidents. I had retired asa Captain in the New York StateEnvironmental Conservation Police andhad revamped the entire investigationprocess there, trained all the officers andcreated better forms and policies.Between us we had about 60 years of

experience in these investigations.As part of the book-writing

process we hired my sister Rachelto be our editor. She had a goodbackground in the area and as anon-hunter one of her jobs was tomake sure the stories made senseto all readers, including non-hunters. As we finished eachchapter, we would send it on toRachel for review. Each of uswrote about one third of the 30chapters, so eventually there were

many stories at various stages of editingand re-writing. One day Rachel called and said she

needed some clarification on the storyabout the drive-by shooting. I had topause and rack my brain, trying toremember who wrote a story that wasabout a drive-by? I was stumped andasked for more details. She said that sheand a friend of hers were confused bywho did what in the story because italmost seemed like the deer were driv-ing by the hunters but that did not makesense to them. The lightbulb went onover my head! Drive-By! She was refer-ring to a story about a deer drive, but asa non-hunter her closest reference wasthe drive-by shootings she sees on television police shows. She grew up inmy house, she went to the same schoolI described, but she never had the desireto follow Dad through the woods, so shehad no idea what a deer drive is. Iexplained it to her, the story was rewrittento clarify it and we decided to add aGlossary to the end of the book so thatnon-hunters would understand thewords that hunters use and take forgranted. I also realized that while alldeer hunters in the Northeast wouldunderstand the term, other huntersacross the U.S. may not.About a year later, “Blood On The

Leaves, Real Hunting Accidents—AndLessons In Hunter Safety” was out andwe began to get feedback. I was in a localdiner one morning when a longtimefamily friend stopped on her way out tosay hello. Anne had travelled the world,had advanced degrees and had runseveral large businesses. She said thatmy mother had loaned her a copy of thebook and she loved it. She was not ahunter but she really liked the “CSI In theWoods”-style and had recommended itto her friends. As she started to leave shesaid, “One of the things I liked the mostwas learning that hunting has rules.”I was stunned and asked her what she

meant. She sat down and explained thatshe was very pleased to learn that therewas such a thing as hunter educationand that there are seasons and bag limitsand stuff like that. I thanked her for herkind words and was left stunned. Howwas it possible? She grew up in thesame small town where hunting was abig deal. Even if you did not hunt, youmust have had at least a basic under-standing of hunting, hunter education,seasons, etc. Or so I thought. She hadalways thought that if you wanted tohunt, you simply went to the store andbought a gun and then went out and shotstuff, that was all there was to it. Ilearned a valuable lesson that day. If shethought that, then how many otherpeople that grew up with no exposure tohunting would think the same way?That was a shocking realization. I havesince shared this with several other non-hunters and they all thought the same.They had no idea that there was such athing as hunter education, let alone thatit has been mandatory for all newhunters in New York since 1949 and isnow required in all 50 states. They werealso unaware that there are rules such asseasons, bag limits, etc.


Lessons Learned: We CannotAssume Others Understandthe Words We UseBy Michael Van Durme, Hunting and Shooting Related Consultants LLC


Lessons Learned:1. As hunters and instructors, it is easy to think that others have at least a basic understanding ofhow hunting works. Many, perhaps most, peopledo not.

2.We use terms like deer drives or “doggin’ deer”*that non-hunters or even hunters from differentbackgrounds may not understand. We need todefine the terms we use.

3.We need to look for ways to explain what we do and the importance of hunter education to apublic that is mostly unaware that hunter education exists.

*Terms like “doggin’ deer” can have very differentmeanings in different parts of the country. In theSoutheast where it is legal, it means hunting deer withhounds. In the Northeast where hunting deer withdogs is not legal, it means to get on the track of a bigbackwoods buck and stay on it, trailing it like a houndon a scent, often for many miles or even days.

“Blood On The Leaves, Real Hunting AccidentInvestigations—And Lessons In Hunter Safety” isavailable at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Rowmanand Littlefield.n


A s kids, we all learned the A, B,C’s growing up, and gettingready for kindergarten, or first

grade in my case. If you’re a medicalprofessional, you also learned about theA, B, C’s or Airway, Breathing, andCirculation as part of your patientassessment. This article applies the A,B, C’s as “building blocks of tree standsafety.” As hunter education instructors,we are always looking for simple yeteffective ways to drive home key objec-tives. As educators, if we can get ourstudents to apply these three steps, wecan collectively make a positive impacton the number of tree stand falls. The first letter “A” stands for Always

remove and inspect all your equipmentbefore using it. In a recent research studyI conducted of almost 700 tree standfalls, approximately 1/3 of the falls mayhave been prevented if the hunter hadinspected their equipment and followedthe manufacturer’s recommendationsfor maintenance and inspection. Manyof these were directly attributed tostraps breaking on the stand. The typicalscenario was a stand that had been leftin place and not removed at the end ofthe season. UV rays from the sun,weather, tree growth and other factorscan significantly weaken straps when notmaintained and replaced periodically. It’scritical to stress the importance ofremoving your stands and performingpreventative maintenance as suggestedby the manufacturer. The second letter “B” stands for

Buckle on your harness securely. Ashunter education instructors, we mustcontinue to emphasize wearing a full-body harness every time your feet leavethe ground. This not only includes theact of hunting, but also pre-season and

A, B, C’s of Tree Stand SafetyBy Glen Mayhew, DHSc, NRP

Hunting from a manufactured tree stand is a safe way to hunt, provided the hunter follows themanufacturer’s guidelines. However, tree stand falls remain the number-one cause of injuryand death to deer hunters. According to the 2015 National Electronic Surveillance System,there were approximately 4,000 tree stand falls nationwide that resulted in injury.


post-season when we are putting up ortaking down stands. In the same studymentioned above, 86% of all fall victimsdid not have a harness on. The remain-ing 14% had a harness on, however it

was not connected to the tree at the timeof the fall, which brings us to the finalbuilding block. “C” is the final letter and it stands for

Connect before your feet leave the

ground. For the full-body harness to doits job, it has to be worn and connectedto the tree at all times. Analysis of falldata from 10 states revealed that 99% offall victims were not attached to the

tree. This includes both those thatwere and were not wearing aharness. The full-body harness didits job for the remaining 1%,arresting the fall and keeping thehunter from impacting the ground. As hunter safety advocates, we

must continue to place a heightenedemphasis on this subject whenteaching our classes. Using easy-to-remember applications in ourclasses, such as the ABC’s of TreeStand Safety, can further increasethe likelihood that our studentswill remember and apply the prin-ciples taught. Working together, wecan significantly reduce the numberof tree stand falls.n

Glen Mayhew serves asPresident of the Tree Stand SafetyAwareness Foundation and aDean at Jefferson College ofHealth Sciences in Roanoke,Virginia. His nearly 30 years inhigher education and experienceas a firefighter/paramedic hascreated a unique mix of back-grounds that fuels Glen’s passionfor educating people on the safepractices of tree stand use. Glen isan active Hunter EducationInstructor in Virginia and amember of the Virginia Tree StandSafety Team. Glen’s educationincludes an undergraduate degreein Healthcare Administration, aMaster’s degree in Education anda Doctorate in Health Sciences.Glen has published articles andpresented at the local, state,national and international levelson various topics, includingresearch conducted on tree standsafety and hunter’s attitudes andbehaviors toward tree stand safety.In his leisure time, Glen and hiswife Karen enjoys listening totheir son Hunter perform music.Glen also spends time coachingbaseball, and hunting and fishingwith his son.


I have been involved in teaching ortraining of some sorts most of mycareer. A few years ago, I was

sponsored to attend an intense year-longprogram focusing on the Dynamics ofLearning Behavior as it is related tohow we learn, creating learningprograms, producing instructionalmaterials and so on. A tremendousamount of DIY research was necessaryand I learned a great deal about myselfas an instructor.One helpful tool I embraced from the

course was understanding the premisesof RIDEM. The acronym is brokendown for you below with a short expla-nation of each ideal. RIDEM has neverfailed me and I invite you to use it as aguide if you are a newcomer or as arefresher if you’ve been around a while.

Relevance of what we are teaching in

relationship to the subject matterexpected to be taught. Most often, ourclass content covers hunting, trapping,firearms education, etc. While it isacceptable to lightly comment on a variety of things to encourage opendialogue, it is not always so beneficialfor students to hear about things like ourpersonal gripes and ailments, politicalviews, long-winded stories of old andthe like.I always ask myself if what I am

saying helps wrap up the informationdiscussed yesterday or cleverly opens adoor to the information I plan to covertoday. It’s amazing to me how somestudents forget the Ten Commandmentsof Firearms Safety, but somehowremember specific details regarding aninstructor’s medical history! Since ourclass time is so short, greater attention

must be given to the most relevantinformation.

Involvement of the students. Of all theidentifiable learner types out there, weknow most people learn best when theydirectly have ownership in the educa-tion process. The days of mundanelecturing from the podium while thestudents sit quietly in their assignedseats are long gone. Today’s studentswant stimulating interaction and directinvolvement by participating in smalland large group activities. The instructorbecomes teacher, trainer, mentor andcoach, all in one. Each of these titlesserves a very different role in how weinteract with the students. Try allowing the students to teach

small portions of the class either solo orin teams. Those sharing a unique outdoorexperience in class will encourage more

When It Comes to the Students…RIDEM!Submitted by Mr. John W. Kunkle, Idaho Hunter Education Instructor

communication. We must realize wemay not be the only seasoned or mostexciting outdoorsman in the classroom.

Discovery of truly learning somethingnew. If we rush the material or just coverthe minimum, the students don’t get toenjoy any of those “Ah-ha!” moments,and the excitement of discovering some-thing new! An entertaining and creativeinstructor can deliver many opportunitiesallowing for such enlightenment. Allowthe students to self-learn a bit withoutbeing spoon-fed the information. Relative hands-on exhibits, DVD

critiques, short games, group exercisesand friendly classroom competitivenessare all I use to encourage discovery.Most importantly, instructors mustrecognize that moment of bliss on astudent’s face when he experiences adiscovery to capture and share with theothers!

Experience level of the student as wellas the instructor. For the instructor, wewill assume he is well-versed in alloutdoor activities as they relate to thecourse and possesses the necessary

teaching skills and unquestionablecharacter to meet and maintain theperformance standards set forth by ourrespective agencies. Enough said. Our students, on the other hand, are

much different. Generally speaking, ourstudents range from nine years old up to,well...unlimited! Don’t be too quick todismiss the experience of the young.Many of them come from generationalhunting families and have been afieldsince they could fill a 20-pound diaper!Conversely, don’t be too quick to praisethe older. Many of them have nevercamped, carried a firearm, or experi-enced a wild game harvest. The mucholder are sometimes given too muchcredit because of their age and time inthe woods, albeit honorable. Modernfirearms mishandling, believing erro-neous hunting old wive’s tales andoutdated first aid practices are just a fewissues I’ve known to surface. Know your audience. Make time for

short introductions, casually takeconsensuses by a show of hands andmonitor students’ reactions to what is

being said and done in the classroom.Conducting a cursory pre-test on dayone can be of great value for theresourceful instructor.

Modeling yourself as the example tofollow. “Do as I say, not as I do” didn’twork with our generation and it surelydoes not work with today’s! Goodstudents are like sponges, soaking up allthe information they see and hear. Weare often the first real hunters they meetand will hopefully remember us like afavorite school teacher. Ask the studentsto complete a short, anonymous courseevaluation on the last day to confirmyour own self-assessment. It could behumbling. “Neither green timber nor knowledge

are of much use until well-seasoned!”nMr. J.W. Kunkle is a retired peace

officer and past graduate of the MasterInstructor Development Program. Hecurrently serves the Idaho Departmentof Fish & Game, (208-769-1414) as anInstructional Technician which includesthe duties of HEI, Trapper Educationand NRA Range Safety Officer.


W hen my eldest daughter shother first deer several yearsago, I worked with her to

field dress the doe and we carried thecarcass out whole, the hard way. Iwanted her to experience every bit ofthe hard work that hunting your ownfood can be, and also to be the hero fora day; her aptitude on display on themeat pole for family and neighbors toadmire, garnering her pats on the back.Too, I had not yet learned the gutlessmethod of field dressing.After processing the deer in my

kitchen—and wow, did that meat tastegood—I disposed of the odds and ends(legs, bones, hide, head, etc.) as always:I put them in black plastic trash bags,which I then deposited in garbage cansand hauled to the curb with the rest ofthe household refuse. That week there

was a box in the garbage just the rightsize for the hide and head, so I stuffedthem in the box, folded the flaps closed,and set the package on top of one of the cans.The next morning as I left for work, I

noticed that the trash cans were still full.I was certain I had heard the garbagetruck at its normal time, and a glanceshowed that the neighbors’ cans were allempty. I investigated, and at the curb Idiscovered the doe’s head in the gutter,her milky, shriveled eye staring back atme. In the night, the box containingspare deer parts had fallen off of the canand come open, spilling its contents.This had apparently caused the garbagecollector to skip my house altogether.I phoned the garbage company’s

office, verified that my account wascurrent, and told the friendly woman

that my house had been skipped. It tooka couple of days and a few phone calls,but the customer service rep finallycontacted the driver, and then called meback. “He says you had a deer in yourgarbage,” she said. I confirmed that yes,I did. “We can’t take it,” she told me.“You’ll have to contact the landfill andestablish a profile with them to disposeof it.” This didn’t make sense. “What if my neighbor’s freezer failed

and his store-bought meat spoiled?” Iasked. “Would he have to establish aprofile and take it to the landfill? Andwhen mice move into my basement inthe winter and I trap them…can I nottoss their little corpses in my trash can?”The rep saw my point and spoke to hersupervisor. She finally affirmed that itwas, indeed, okay to discard animal

Deer Disposal DilemmaBy Jeff Anderson, Colorado Hunter Education Instructor


parts with my weekly garbage, but“they must be bagged.” I thanked herand promised they would be.On the following week’s garbage day

I kept an eye out for the collection truck,and when it stopped out front I wassurprised to see the young driver walk-ing to my front door. I greeted him thereand heard his explanation. He knew hehad to accept my garbage this time, buthe wanted to say his piece. It came as nosurprise that the head laying in thegutter had bothered him. “That’s justgross,” he said. “Couldn’t you call theHumane Society to get rid of it?” Isuppressed a chuckle and explainedwhat the Humane Society really doesand why I didn’t think they would beinterested in removing a deer’s remains.“Well,” he persisted, “you guys aresupposed to know how to dispose ofthese.” I apologized, assuring him that Iwould be more mindful in the future,and he drove away, leaving my finally-empty trash cans behind.So, what is the point of all this? The

point is that he was right. It is no stretchto believe that this young man has neverbeen out of the city, and it was obviousthat he had never seen what’s leftbehind after his supermarket meat hasbeen washed and wrapped in cello-phane. My carelessness had led tocircumstances that offended him andhad painted a poor picture of hunting forhim. Now, I am certainly not a personwho wrings my hands about someonetaking offense to my actions—beingoffended, deliberately or otherwise, isjust part of life. However, as a hunterwho conscientiously goes to greatlengths to portray our sport in a positivelight to the non-hunting public, I hadslipped up. Had I securely bagged all ofthe leftover deer parts to begin with, noone from the sanitation company wouldhave been the wiser and the whole inci-dent would have been circumvented. Idon’t know what the driver’s opinion ofhunters was before our encounter, butmy casual actions didn’t endear me tohim. I only hope that our brief conver-sation helped to salve the wound. Forme it served as a reminder to be evenmore vigilant, more attentive to the wayI appear as a hunter. It is something wecan’t be too careful about.n

Attention: Instructors! Got yours yet?The 2017 edition of Hunter’s Handbook

magazine is now at state and provincialwarehouses and ready for instructor distribution to students. The magazine isthe official student publication of theIHEA-USA. This “how-to” guide takes thestudent beyond mandatory general safetyguidelines, offering selection and use information regarding a variety of hunting-related products, with a special emphasis

on safety in the field. The publication also contains the studentand instructor entry form for the IHEA-USA 2018 Heritage Hunt.

If you have not received your copies, contact your state orprovincial coordinator to arrange shipment. The publication isfree of charge. If you prefer to contact us directly, we will pass theinformation on to your coordinator. Send an e-mail [email protected] or call her at 206-281-8520.Please provide your name, phone number, shipping address andthe number of copies you require for student distribution.


Gallery of Guns—Future Leaders of ConservationScholarship Winners Announced

I HEA-USA is proud to announce thewinners of the 2017 Gallery of GunsFuture Leaders of Conservation

Scholastic Scholarship.Each winner, chosen through an essay

contest, will receive a $2,500 scholarshipfrom Gallery of Guns.“We are pleased to support the Future

Leaders of Conservation ScholasticScholarship because these students, thesehunters, are truly the future of hunting,”said Bill Bennett, director of marketingfor Davidson’s and GalleryofGuns.com.“These scholarship winners are greatrepresentatives of the thousands andthousands of ethical and responsiblehunters developed by hunter educationclasses each year. With hunters like Brettand McKinley, we feel our huntingheritage is in safe hands.”

Brett Garamendi Plans to BePositive Influence on FutureHuntersFollowing in the footsteps of his step-

father and grandfather, Brett Garamendiplans to be a positive influence forfuture hunters.“I would like to be a teacher of

conservation and hunter education towhomever I can influence,” he said.“But ultimately my plan is to one day,when I have children, teach them thejoys, ethics and responsibilities thatcome with hunting and being in theoutdoors. If they can have a similar

outlook and mindset that I have, then Ifigure I will have done a good job inteaching them.”Brett credits his stepfather, Steve, and

grandfather. “They have taught me mostof what I know about hunting and theyhave steered me on the right path,” hesaid. “I would not be the man I amtoday if it were not for those two.”Brett will be a senior at Malad High

School in Malad, Idaho, a town of about2,000 people. Though he doesn’t knowfor sure where he will attend college, heplans to pursue a bachelor’s degree incommunications, with emphasis onvideo editing. He’s narrowed collegechoices down to a few, all of them onthe West Coast.Brett said he got involved in hunting

early, receiving a BB gun “like mostkids get,” when he was two.When he was all of three orfour years of age, he startedaccompanying his stepfatheron dove and pheasant hunts.He attended hunter educa-

tion classes at age nine. “Iremember I was the youngestone in my class,” he said. “Iwas always that excited kidwho loved animals and theoutdoors, so I was shoutingout answers that the olderkids did not know.”He considers hunter

education an important stepin his life. “What it taught me in the wayof ethics and how to properly hunt hasgreatly influenced my life for the better,”he said.“Probably the single most important

thing I learned in hunter education wasthe ethics of hunting,” he said. “Theyinstilled in me how to properly harvestan animal, how to treat the land andeverything on it with respect, and howto just appreciate every moment of thehunt. Every day I can be in the outdoorsdoing what I love is a blessing for me.”His favorite part of hunting and being

outdoors is “the pure beauty of our

natural world,” he said. “Watching thesun fill the valley below me, smellingthe infectious aroma of sagebrush, andhearing off in the distance the call orfootsteps of the game I’m after, all fillmy body with excitement and get myblood pumping. I feel all of my emotionsswirling around in one perfect storm.”

McKinley Grooms Credits His Dad“for Investing His Time in Me”For McKinley Grooms, there’s more

to hunting than taking game.“My favorite part of hunting is the

anticipation of what you will see, andthe fact that every single time you go, itis a different experience,” he said.“Sometimes you will get lucky and getyour limits, and other times, it is just anopportunity to spend time with familyor friends. It is always a win-win situa-tion, either way.”He credits his positive attitude and

love of hunting and the whole huntingand outdoor experience to his father,Barry, who introduced him, when hewas about five, to hunting by taking himalong on dove, deer and turkey hunts.And to skeet shoots.McKinley understands the impor-

tance of what his father did for him in


his early years, igniting a spark that hasgrown to a full-grown passion.“I would like to thank my Dad for

investing his time in me at an early ageand exposing me to my favoritepastime—hunting,” he said. “We havespent my whole childhood huntingtogether every chance we get. His time,patience, energy and encouragement inhunting and all other areas of my lifehave taught me to be appreciative ofopportunities and blessings.”His favorite hunting experience?

“Duck hunting in Holly Grove,Arkansas, at the Big Slash HuntingLodge,” he said.He also likes to fish in the Waccamaw

River and local creeks.McKinley attended hunter education

class when he was 12, which, he said,taught him “all about wildlife identifica-tion and management, treestand safetyand how to prevent accidents.”“The most important thing I learned

was the proper handling of guns, includ-ing shooting positions, angles and tech-niques, and loading and unloadingprecautions,” he said.McKinley, 18, a 2017 graduate from

Waccamaw High School in PawleysIsland, S.C., plans to attend The Citadelin Charleston, S.C., to pursue a civilengineering degree. While in highschool, McKinley was a member of theKey Club, Student Council and was avarsity baseball player, playing short-stop and second base. This year he wasnominated to represent his baseballteam at the all-star game. He also servesin outreach programs with other youthsat Pawleys Island Community Church.Since he was 15, he’s worked at

several jobs, including restaurants, golfcourses and a beach club. His currentsummer job is, appropriately enough, atPawleys Island Outdoors, a sportinggoods store.He plans to continue hunting and

supporting conservation efforts. “I willdefinitely support conservation byrenewing all of my hunting licenses andcontinuing to hunt and help managewildlife populations,” he said. “I plan tobecome a member of Ducks Unlimited,the National Rifle Association and theNational Wild Turkey Federation, sinceI am old enough now.”n


Gallery of Guns—Championsof Education

T hrough volunteering their time,energy and resources, huntereducation instructors make a

significant and immeasurable contribu-tion to our hunting heritage, doing noless than assuring our hunting traditionsare passed to future generations.Teaching safe and ethical hunting,

conservation principles and so muchmore, all while recruiting and mentor-ing thousands of students is all part ofthe job for hunter ed instructors.They all deserve our thanks. And,

toward that end, Gallery of Guns annu-ally recognizes individuals who stand outamong the thousands of other dedicatedhunter education instructors. The sixannual winners will each receive a 270-caliber Ruger American rifle.These winners “go above and beyond,”

said Bill Bennett, director of marketingfor Davidson’s and GalleryofGuns.com.“Without IHEA instructors, the heritageof hunting could be jeopardized for futuregenerations.”In this issue, we highlight two Gallery

of Guns Champions of Hunter Education.We announced the first two winners inour last issue and will announce twomore in the next issue.

Bob Boswell Georgetown, TexasEssentially, you can say Bob Boswell

takes his hunter education work home.On many occasions, Boswell has

hosted youth and mentor hunts at hisranch. There’s been hunts for the TexasYouth Hunting Program; Becoming anOutdoorswoman; Texas State RifleAssociation Foundation youth andwomen hunts; IHEA-USA hunts formembers from South Africa and the U.S.;Conservation Education and ProjectWILD mentor hunts and Texas HunterEducation Instructor Association hunts.“Any time I have needed a place for a

mentor hunt or volunteer assistance fora hunter education outreach event, Bobhas been willing to serve, always on hisown dime, including hotel stays and

providing food and barbecue for theevents, which he cooks himself,” TexasHunter Education Administrator SteveHall said in nominating Boswell for theaward. “I don’t ever remember ‘no’ or‘can’t’ in his vocabulary. It is always ‘Iwill see how I or we can get this done.’”All that, and all the hunter education

courses he has taught since becoming acertified hunter ed instructor in 1989and a bowhunter education instructor in1992. Or the TPWD workshops andwildlife expos he’s attended or theoutreach events at Cabela’s and BassPro Shops or the National Archery inSchools tournaments or the IHEA-USAnational conferences.Hall calculates Boswell has taught

more than 1,100 students; certified 17new hunter ed instructors and attended104 instructor workshops. Boswell wasalso inducted into the Texas HunterEducation Hall of Fame in 2006.Boswell said he and a friend started

teaching hunter ed in 1989 when theyrealized there was only one hunter edcourse available in Corpus Christi,where he then worked and lived. Andthat course was on the other side of thecity, so their sons couldn’t get there atscheduled times after school and work.

“We started teaching tofill that need,” Boswellsaid. “The first class wasin my friend’s living room.Since then, I have taughtin churches, schools,community meeting halls,VFWs and even a bank.”Semi-retired, Boswell

is an engineer and hasworked in all phases ofoil, gas, refining, chemicalplants, pipelines, youname it. He’s even builtpower-generating plants.He fit hunter ed classes inat nights and on week-ends, and when he startedmanaging jobs in otherareas, he taught hunter ed

there too, like in Kansas, Illinois andKentucky.With the changing population land-

scape in the U.S., Boswell sees a needfor hunter education.“When I was young, most people like

me lived in the country,” he said. “I hada father, uncle, and grandfather whotaught me to shoot and hunt. I gotlessons in gun handling, safety (myfather and uncle were both World War IIcombat vets and were really seriousabout safety), game laws, and a realrespect for game. “Today, 80 percent or more of the

people live in town, and do not have theopportunities I had. Hunter educationfills that void, and has proved its worth.In Texas, before hunter ed becamemandatory, fatal hunting accidents eachyear were as high as the mid ’30s. Nowthey are in the low single figures, oftenas low as two or three per year.”Safe firearm handling is top priority,

he said.“As an instructor, I stress gun

handling and safety above all,” he said.“I try to get the students to see the safetyrules as common sense ways to preventaccidents, not just rules to memorize andregurgitate on the test, and I approach

Bob Boswell

By Joe Arterburn


gun handling techniques in the sameway. When I talk about game laws, Italk about the reasons for them, safety, afair chance to take game, and conserva-tion of the game. I want the students tounderstand the need for what we teach,not just as a requirement they have tofulfill.”Boswell is motivated by his father,

uncle and grandfather, remembering thetime spent with, and learning, from them.“Hunter education for me is a way to

repay the debt I owe to those that taughtme,” he said. “They didn’t have to do it.They did it because they cared about meand cared about the sport, and about thegame. I try to pass on some of the thingsI have learned over the years, so thatstudents can have the benefit of myexperience and learn to appreciate hunt-ing and the outdoors as much as I do.”

Tony Landenwich Stockton, Alabama“Tony is dedicated to introduc-

ing new people to the outdoors,”Alabama Hunter EducationAdministrator Marisa Futral saidin nominating Tony Landenwichfor this award. “I cannot think ofanyone who has put more time,heart and soul into keeping ouryouth and adults safe in the woodsand on the firing line. Tony givesof himself without a secondthought and never complainsabout the expense he incurrs whiledoing it. I consider it an honor tohave Tony as a part of our programand to get to participate in hisevents as well.“Not only does Tony volunteer

his time to teach hunter education,but he also provides guidance forother potential instructors in BaldwinCounty. Tony has helped any time hehas been called upon.”Landenwich owns a firearms training

company and works at a shooting range,which puts him in position to educatestudents and clients on hunting andshooting safety.He’s been a hunter ed instructor since

1992. “I took the course with my oldestson, Joe (then age 11), when he wantedto go to Kentucky to waterfowl hunt,”Landenwich said. “Shortly after that

class, Officer Kevin Dodd attended amonthly meeting of the StocktonVolunteer Fire Department and askedfor help with the program. I thought itwas a good cause, so I volunteered.”And he’s been volunteering ever

since, donating thousands of hours ofhis time and teaching more than 100classes. And, he’s volunteered hisgunsmithing skills to restoring andrepairing firearms for the program andhas assisted in processing more than600 confiscated firearms, turning theminto non-firing firearms for use inhunter education classes acrossAlabama.He’s also a founding member, and

first president, of the Alabama HunterEducation Association, a non-profitorganization of volunteer instructorswho assist in the statewide hunter

education mission. While on the AHEAboard, he assisted with the developmentof the first CD rom hunter educationcourse and corresponding field keys. He’salso been a 4-H instructor in archery,rifle, pistol, shotgun and muzzleloader,and served as a shooting coach for alocal high school. He’s currently anNRA range safety officer, advancedpistol and rifle instructor, and personalprotection instructor. Landenwich isalso a defensive firearms coach with theI.C.E. training company, a certified

trainer with the Alabama SecurityRegulatory Board, and a MAG-20 rangeinstructor with noted firearms instructorand writer Massad Ayoob.He often offers his training services at

the range for any of the students whowould like training outside of the regular class. He balances work andhunter and shooting education by plan-ning and scheduling ahead. “I try to takecare of the hunter education classesfirst,” he said. “Most of my businessclients understand my commitment tohunter education.”“Hunter education instructors,” he

said, “are trying to be another layer inteaching new hunters the need to besafe, responsible and ethical hunters.”Landenwich hopes his students come

out of the classroom with skills andknowledge—including their role in

wildlife conservation—they willcarry with them for a lifetime andhopefully pass on to others.“I would like students to learn the

part they play in sports hunting,”he said. “Hopefully, they learn howto be a safe hunter; how to feelcomfortable and confident whilein the woods from learning a fewskills and how to hunt fairly.”Landenwich says he started out

and continues to volunteer as ahunter ed instructor because of allhe has gotten out of hunting andshooting sports.“It’s a way for me to give back

to the sport I enjoy,” he said. “Itruly belive my children andgrandchildren will need the abilityto escape the stress of everydaylife by spending a day in the field.I am trying to ensure this sport willbe available for them to enjoy.”

Futral seconds the notion. “Tony is anavid outdoorsman and his enthusiasmfor teaching is hard to beat,” she said.“He is an instructor that genuinely caresabout his community and the future ofhunting.”“Alabama has one of the best hunter

safety records in the Southeast,” Futralsaid, “and Tony’s leadership is partlyresponsible for that accomplishment.Tony is a great ambassador for ourprogram and we are very appreciative tohave him as an instructor.”n

Tony Landenwich


L ansky, a leader in innovativesharpening technology, has doneit again with the Sharp’n Cut, a

clever 2-in-1 tool that combines aneasy-to-use knife sharpener and smallceramic blade.And here’s the kicker. An internal

magnet allows you to snap it onto any

convenient metal surface, like a refrig-erator, tool cabinet, shelf, or anynumber of locations to keep it handy.The carbide sharpener, preset to give

a sharp, perfectly angled edge, cansharpen just about any blade, quicklyand easily, with just a few strokes.Thanks to clever design, the sharpceramic blade stays hidden untilneeded. To use, you simply press thebottom of the tool against the objectyou’d like to cut, like packing tape,paper, packaging, envelopes—anythingyou’d like to slice.As a safety feature, the sharpener is

engineered with a self-deploying bladeguard that retracts with pressure toexpose the blade when in use. Oncepressure is relieved, the blade guardautomatically deploys back in place toprotect the blade.

Ceramic makes a great blade becauseit is extremely hard, resistant to wearand provides a fine cutting edge. TheSharp’n Cut, which is ideal for keepingon-hand for sharpening and cutting at amoment’s notice, is another landmarkproduct in Lansky’s ever-expandingline of innovative products.For more information, check it out at

www.lansky.com.n

New Products—Lansky Sharp’n Cut

HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO DOIn each issue of Hunter’s Handbook, there is a Quick Action Card that students

fill out to get more information on products they are interested in. This also earnsthem a chance to win an all-expense paid hunting trip of a lifetime, and manyother exciting prizes.

We ask that you have thestudents fill out the card andturn it in to you at the end ofthe class. From that point yousimply put the entries in anenvelope and mail them to:

Hunters HandbookPO Box 912Seahurst, WA 98062-0912

EVERY SINGLE card in the envelope then becomes an entry ticket for you towin the Yamaha ATV.

That’s it! Your students get a great publication, a chance to win fabulous prizes(student names picked for prizes are also won by instructors and state administra-tors!) AND you are entered to win this world-class ATV.

ATTENTION ALL INSTRUCTORS:WIN A BRAND-NEW

KODIAK 700EPS ATV!The 2017 edition of Hunter’s Handbook is now making its way through thesystem for you to distribute to your hunter education students. For 26 years,the Handbook has been the official student publication of IHEA-USA.Hunter’s Handbook is an ideal collateral training tool for students to takehome and further their knowledge about how products and techniques canenhance their experience in the field.


What are the three most importantsteps to successful shooting?Listed in order of priority, they are:PracticePracticePracticeB ut if you practice long enough

and often enough, like youshould, you can find yourself

falling into a rut if all you are doing isshooting at bull’s-eyes on paper targets.I asked Mike Capps of Birchwood

Casey, manufacturer of popular guncare products and shooting accessories,how to make target practice more fun,and boy, did I ask the right guy.Here’s what I found out.First, you have to want to practice,

you want to look forward to practicingand if you’re mentoring or helpingyoung or beginning shooters, you wantthem to look forward to practice.Otherwise, their interest may wanequickly. That’s why you should usetargets that are fun to shoot.“It’s important to make range

sessions fun for both new and youngershooters,” Capps said. “There are a lotof things competing for the attention ofour youth today, such as video gamesand cell phones, so if you can makeshooting fun, they’ll want to come backand try it again.”The answer, Capps said, is interactive

targets, targets that move and/or makenoise or change upon impact of the bullet.“Interactive targets provide instant

feedback, like the movement and noiseof shooting steel targets, or the visualring around the bullet hole from aBirchwood Casey Shoot-N-C target,”Capps said. “For some shooters, it’s likebringing a video game to life.”The variety of available interactive

targets makes it easy to vary practicesessions to keep them fresh and chal-lenging and Birchwood Casey has threenew targets made of tough AR 500 steelthat are great choices for fun, fast-pacedaction, Capps said.The AR 500 Dueling Tree “works with

any centerfire handgun load,” Capps said.“Shooters can practice shooting each ofthe 6-inch plates, which flip from side toside and try to work on increasing theirtime to hit all six. The target is also greatfor competitions between a coupleshooters to see who can hit the targetsthe fastest and have the least number ofpaddles on their side when the round isover.” The Dueling Tree providesconstant shooting action and features aneasy-to-assemble angled stand with fourstable legs that add stability and safety.There are no springs or mechanismsrequired for the plates to reset, so it isnearly maintenance-free. The Duelingtree provides the challenge; you providethe accuracy.The Popper Steel Target, “also rated

for both centerfire handguns and rifles,sets up quickly with its free-standingbase and flips back and resets with eachshot,” Capps said. “It works on gravity,so there are no reset strings or springs tomess with or break.” The Popper SteelTarget’s thick steel will handle hits fromhigher calibers and the unique spring-less design allows the target to resetover and over regardless of the caliberused to knock it down. And, it’s easy toset up and take down without tools.

The Silhouette Hostage Paddle Target“is constructed using 1/2-inch AR 500steel, so it works with not only center-fire handguns, but rifles as well,” Cappssaid. “It’s a great target for teachingbreathing and trigger control whileshooting as you try to hit the paddle andnot the ‘hostage’ in front.” TheSilhouette Hostage Paddle Target takesyour practice sessions to another level,adding a measure of difficulty and chal-lenge to your practice. You can use the11- by 18-inch center-mass silhouette asa target or, for precise marksmanshiptraining, sight-in on the six-inch paddle.It’s portable, easy to take to the rangeand set up.Birchwood Casey also makes various

steel targets for rimfire and air guns aswell, so no one is left out of the fun,Capps said.But no matter the target, always

adhere to all safety considerations,Capps said. “When shooting steel, it’simportant to set the targets up accordingto the manufacturer’s directions andshoot at the recommended distances,” hesaid. “As with any shooting discipline,eye and ear protection are important.”Capps also had advice for new and

novice shooters.“It’s important to develop good

shooting form to be consistent,” he said.“I always encourage new shooters tofind a mentor who they are comfortablewith and get instruction from them.There are also classes available at mostof the bigger gun ranges that new shoot-ers can take advantage of.”Final bits of advice?“Work on accuracy before speed and

take time to analyze what you’re doingwrong as well as what you’re doing right,so you don’t develop bad habits,” he said.“Find the type of shooting you enjoymost, whether it’s rifle, pistol or shotgun,and put in the time to get good at it. Andremember: safety, safety, safety!”For more information about interactive

and other targets, visit online at thisaddress: birchwoodcasey.com.n

Interactive Targets Bring Fun,Challenge to Shooting Practice


2017 Hunter's Handbook Prize Winners STATE STUDENT WINNER INSTRUCTOR ADMINISTRATOR PRIZE TX Breanna McGrew James Bartay Steve Hall Walker's Razor Slim Shooter Electronic Ear Muffs MA Ryan Gleason Tim & Matt Susan Langlois HIVIZ gift certificate for one HIVIZ sight MI Zachary Yoder Lawrence Headley Sgt. Steve Orange Sun Optics riflescopes UT Paxson Hightower Dave Gale Gary Cook ALPS Extreme Pursuit X Backpacks NC Tabatha Worley Mitchell Lawrence Carissa Shelton TruckVault handgun solo-vault 200m (mechanical) INST TruckVault handgun solo-vault

200e (electromechanical) ADMIN TruckVault shotgun solo-vault

200m (mechanical) STUDENT CA Steve Ward Monica Musgrave Robert Pelzman TruGlo 3-9x44 Maxus XLE scopes DE Stacie Street Bud Holland & Mark Ostroski Otis Wingshooter Shotgun Mari Grehofsky Cleaning Systems NY Kimberly Bright Joe Grupinski Melissa Neely Otis Elite Breech-to-Muzzle Gun Cleaning Systems AR Rufus Wiggins Doug Jones Joe Huggins Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm Matte Duplex Scopes MS Seth Spiers7 Douglas Spence Steve Parham Otis Rifle Cleaning Systems FL Gabe Pudliner Doug Brooks Bill Cline Buck OMNI Folding Knives OH Carter Finkbine Jim McClurg Matt Ortman Alpen 8x42 waterproof binoculars, hunter orange caps,

special pricing coupons, keychainflashlights

T he drawing for the 14th annualIHEA Heritage Hunt was held inFebruary. Three very lucky

students along with two instructors arethe Grand Prize winners of an all-expense-paid hunt to Hixon Land &Cattle Ranches in southwest Texassponsored by: Hunters Handbook,Hixon Land & Cattle Ranches, FederalAmmunition and Weaver Binoculars.Winners will stay in the magnificentlodge, and one parent will accompanyeach student. The hunt itself will befilmed for airing on Americana Outdoorstelevision show, appearing on NBCSports Network. Winners will be flownto the lodge in mid-November where

they will enjoy three days of big gamehunting. This year's winners are:

The only way students or instructorscan enter to win trips is to fill out theform in Hunters Handbook or visit us

online at www.huntershandbook.com.The 26th annual edition of the HuntersHandbook was recently shipped to allstate and provincial warehouses fordistribution in classes. If you have notreceived your copies, be sure to contactyour state/provincial administrator forfree copies for your students. Then,make sure you and your students regis-ter for next year's drawing! In addition to the trip winners, 15

students, their instructor, and theirstate/provincial administrator all wonsecondary prizes for entering in thehunt. These entries were among thou-sands Hunters Handbook receivesannually via its entry forms.

Student Winners:Blake Anderson, IdahoMichael Fraley, Michigan

Damion Byers, North Carolina

Instructor Winners:Michael McDonald, Washington

John Pezzi, Florida

2017 Heritage Hunt Winners Announced

Cut along dotted line.

✁

Individual ANNUAL or LIFETIMEMembership Information

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

City:____________________________________________

Province/State: ____________________________________

Postal Code: ______________________________________

Phone: ( ) ____________________________________

Fax: ( ) ______________________________________

E-Mail: __________________________________________

I prefer (check one): nn E-Mail nn Paper correspondence

Each ANNUAL $30 IHEA-USAIndividual Membership* includes:

1. IHEA-USA Membership Card.2. IHEA-USA “Member” Pin.3. IHEA-USA “Member” Decal.4. IHEA-USA Membership Patch.5. IHEA-USA Responsible Hunting static cling Window Decal.6. Special early bird invitations to IHEA-USA events (www.ihea.com).7. Exclusive “Member Only” opportunities to purchasesignificantly discounted merchandise and closeouts offered byhunting and firearms manufacturers and distributors(www.ihea.com).

8. Liability Insurance-Individual memberships of the IHEA-USAare provided with Volunteer Liability Insurance up to $1,000,000per occurrence. This policy provides protection for a bodily injury ora property damage liability claim arising out of the performance ofthe registered volunteers’ duties. Applicable to USA Only.

In addition to the benefits listed above, each newIHEA-USA Lifetime $450 *Membership will include:

• $100 Cabela's Gift Certificate• Recognition on the IHEA-USA website as a Lifetime member.• Certificate signed by the Executive Director of the IHEA-USA.• Continuing the Heritage #2 Print (16" X 20")• Getting Ready for the Hunt Print (16" X 20")• “Lifetime Member” Lapel Pin• Cabela's brand Duffel Bag (29"L X 16"W X 14"H)embroidered with "Lifetime Member"

Membership rewards are subject to change.

Lifetime OR AnnualMembership

Annual Individual Membership Fee ..............................$ 30.00 OR LifetimeMembership Fee ................$ 450.00 LifetimeMembership Payment Plan(3 Consecutive Mo. Installments)........$ 150.00

..........................Total Payment ..$______

Method of Payment (US funds only):nn Check/Money Order nn American Express nn Master Card nn Visa

Card Number: __________________________________________Expiration Date: ________________

Name on Card: ______________________________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________________________________

Mail to: IHEA-USA • 800 East 73rd Ave., Unit 2, Denver, CO 80229Website: www.IHEA-USA.org • Phone: (303) 430-7233 • E-Mail: [email protected]

Greetings fellow Hunter Education InstructorAs one of the over 55,000+ Hunter Education Instructors (one of the largest volunteer corps in the

USA) we are asking you to formally join IHEA-USA, the voice of hunter education across the country. Your annual $30 IHEA-USA membership not only assures that all hunter education instructors have

a voice, but also ensures the consistency and relevance of the classes you teach, and also includesthese great benefits:

*Liability Insurance: Individual memberships are provided with Volunteer Liability Insurance upto $1,000,000 per occurrence. This policy provides protection for a bodily injury or a property damageliability claim arising out of the performance of the registered volunteers’ duties.

*Exclusive “Instructor only” opportunities: Purchase significantly discounted merchandise andcloseouts offered by hunting and firearms manufacturers and distributors. Discounts include name-brand optics, tree stands, knives, firearms, archery equipment, laser pointers, and more. Up to 60%off! One purchase will more than pay for your membership.

*IHEA-USA Membership Card*IHEA-USA “Member” Pin*IHEA-USA “Member” Decal*IHEA-USA Membership Patch*IHEA-USA window decal

*Award-Winning IHEA-USA Hunter & Shooting Sports Education Journal quarterly. The Journalis packed with articles on new instructional techniques, improving your shot, helping wounded vets,the latest equipment, survival techniques, hunting clubs, and more. For only $30 annually, you get much more than what you paid for. Lifetime memberships are also

available and include all the annual membership items, but in addition include a $100 Cabela’s giftcard, a nice Cabela’s brand duffel bag, and other great items. Please support IHEA-USA’s mission to continue the heritage of hunting worldwide by developing

safe, responsible, knowledgeable, and involved hunters. Become part of the hunter education community that keeps giving back to the wonderful menand women out there volunteering their time to pass down our cherished hunting/trapping traditions.Sincerely, Brad Heidel, Executive Director, IHEA-USA

Each NEW Instructor Annual Member and eachNew Instructor Life Member will have theirnames entered into a drawing for one of thefollowing prizes:

1. Ruger American 300 Win Mag rifle(#16912) (**see note below)

2. Alpen Optics package: One (1) 10x42 Model#385 Pro Binocular; one (1) Model #725N,15-45x60 Waterproof Spotting Kit (includesscope, table-top tripod, car window mountand hard case); and one (1) Kodiak RifleScope Model #2045, 3-9x40, wide angle.

3. Mathews Genesis Bow

The prize drawing will take place on April 5,2018, and the winners will be notified by emailor phone. Prize winners’ names will be postedon the IHEA-USA web page.

** Federal firearms requirements required forthis item, and any FFL dealer fees will be theresponsibility of the winner.


H eated Hunts Heated ScentDispenser improves perform-ance of hunting scents, increases

the strength of the aroma, diffuses thescent molecules farther and helps makethe scent smell fresher, plus it solves theproblem of frozen scents. The battery-powered dispenser heats hunting scentsand lures to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, thesame temperature as a big game animal.You simply apply the scent to the wick,and flip it on. The energized scent mole-cules travel farther and faster, makingthe scent more effective and is morelikely to trigger reactions from gameanimals like deer, elk, hogs, and bears.What’s more, Heated Hunts, under-

standing the importance of huntereducation, offers hunter educationinstructors a discount on their products,for use in the classroom or for their ownuse. “Hunter education is the key to ourindustry’s future,” said Heated HuntsPresident and Founder JonathanKalasinski, “and we at Heated Huntswant to support and motivate the effortsof hunter education instructors through-out North America as the future of hunt-ing relies a lot on these instructors.”Learn more at heatedhunts.com and

instructors can take advantage of thediscount by going to the “Special Offersfor Instructors” section under the“Instructors” tab at IHEA-USA.org.

Instructor Discount Corner—Heated HuntsHeated Scent Dispenser

Hunter Education Instructors have the opportunity to purchase many items at a discounted rate on the "Special Offers" section of the IHEA-USA website! Foryour exclusive access go to: www.ihea-usa.com/instructors/special-offers-for-instructors. Just click on the company hyperlink you are interested in and,when prompted, enter "gohunt" as your password. The password has no space and is all lowercase.

Instructor Access for IHEA-USA WebsiteFor more information go to: www.ihea-usa.com/instructors/special-offers-for-instructors

Purchase these fine products and more!


I HEA-USA and Experticity havepartnered to provide VIP discountsof up to 70% off on over 200 hunt,

fish, and tactical brands to huntereducation instructors—plus the oppor-tunity to receive free products, providefeedback and share your passion.

What Is Experticity?Experticity is an online network and

mobile app that provides experts likeyou with exclusive brand and productaccess that isn’t available to the public.As a hunter education instructor andrecognized expert in your industry,you’ve earned this invitation.

How Joining ExperticityBenefits You– Support hunter education and IHEA-USA

– Enjoy VIP discounts of up to 70% off

– Learn more about the brands andproducts you love

– Qualify to receive unique productgiveaways

– Try new products before they hitshelves

– Provide feedback to brands so theycan build better products

– Share photos with brands and otherexperts

How to Sign UpGo to www.experticity.com/ihea to

sign up for free and unlock your access.

How You’ll Benefit IHEA-USA andthe Hunting Community– Experticity will make a donation toIHEA-USA on behalf of each

instructor who takes advantage of the program

– Thanks to the insider brand and product knowledge you’ll find onExperticity, you’ll be able to giveyour students more educated recommendations

– You’ll be able to empower futurehunter education instructors and leaders in the hunting community byencouraging them to sign up to fueltheir passion and expertise

VIP Program for HunterEducation Instructors

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