RAY JOHNSON AWARDED INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR AWARD

The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) recognized Ray Johnson (on right in photo below), of North Pole, as the 2008 Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year at the IHEA 2009 Conference held in Toronto, Canada, on April 23.

“Ray has been one of the most active and dedicated instructors with ADF&G’s Hunter Information and Training (HIT) Program over the past 4 years,” said Interior region hunter education coordinator Bob Hunter. “He’s one of our ‘go to’ instructors for just about everything.”

Many volunteer instructors from the U.S. and Canada were nominated for the award based on their significant contributions to advancing safe hunting. Federal Premium®, in partnership with IHEA named Johnson the Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year at the annual conference for his efforts to significantly advance the cause of safe hunting on a voluntary basis through extraordinary service in training and education.

Johnson logged 192 hours teaching Basic Hunter Education, Bowhunter Education, and Muzzleloader Education classes in the Fairbanks area and bush villages in 2008. In addition, he often assists with the hunting and shooting portions of Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops and the Alaska Conservation Camp program, both of which are sponsored by the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska and ADF&G. Johnson also volunteers with shooting programs for both 4-H and the Boy Scouts, conducts NRA ammunition reloading classes and helps plan and conduct the annual NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge program.

Johnson was recognized in 2006 by the nonprofit Alaska Interior Marksmanship Committee (AIM-COMM) as their Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, and by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s Hunter Information & Training Program as the 2007 Alaska Muzzleloader Instructor of the Year and the 2008 Alaska Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

Ray retired after 20 years of service as a US Army Military Policeman and is currently employed as the chief of security guards at Eielson Air Force Base. He and his wife Judy, also an outstanding Hunter Ed instructor, were present for the presentation of awards in Toronto.

Congratulations and Thank You, Ray!