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News Release

VDGIF Director's Volunteer Award: Volunteers Recognized for their Tremendous Dedication

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) relies heavily on a volunteer force to deliver its free Hunter Education course to roughly 14,000 people each year across the Commonwealth. These dedicated individuals give selflessly to a program that helps teach hunting safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship.

In 2009, two volunteer Hunter Education instructors received the Director's Volunteer Award for contributing more than 5,000 hours each to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Those individuals are Lester "Danny" Bartee of Dry Fork and Franklin L. "Frank" Taylor of Millboro. These men were honored for their work at the Department's Board meeting held today in Richmond.

Captain Bobby Mawyer, whose responsibilities include overseeing the Hunter Education program, commented on the award, "5,000 hours is roughly the equivalent of two and one-half years of full-time work. These Hunter Education instructors have altogether trained more than 25,000 students to be safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters. Each has given of their time and talent to assist the Department in its mandate to provide Hunter Education to the public."

Lester D. (Danny) Bartee became a Hunter Education instructor in 1995. Since that time, Danny has given 5,113 hours to the Hunter Education Program. In 2001, he received the William Dixon Morgan Memorial Award, for the instructor considered to have contributed the most to Hunter Education that year. In addition to teaching the basic Hunter Education course, Danny has used his knowledge and experience to teach advanced shotgun courses to other instructors.

Franklin L. (Frank) Taylor has been an instructor since 1980. He has contributed 5,009 hours to the Virginia Hunter Education Program. Frank has instructed over 20,000 students in the Augusta, Bath and Highland county school systems. He is also the 1989 recipient of the William Dixon Morgan Memorial Award, and was this award's fifth honoree.

As part of the presentation, the Virginia Hunter Education Association (VHEA) presented each of the recipients with a Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle to commemorate the award. The VHEA was formed two years ago as a non-profit group composed of volunteer instructors who wished to provide a greater level of assistance to the Department with its Hunter Education efforts. VHEA member Ken Carter made the presentation. "These instructors have been mentors to the rest of us," said Carter of the recipients of the award.

To learn more about Virginia's Hunter Education program visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at www.dgif.virginia.gov.

It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.