News Release

Floridian wins international Winchester Hunter Education Instructor of the Year

June 7, 2007
Contact: Bill Cline (850) 410-0085

Dave Klein of Bradenton is the 2007 Winchester Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year.  The honor recognizes an instructor who significantly advances the cause of safe hunting through extraordinary service in training or education.

This is the second time in the past three years a Florida instructor has won this award from the world-famous gun and ammunition manufacturer.  Terry and Norma Neenan of Bell also were the first husband and wife team to win the award in 2005.

Klein also was recognized in 2006 for his commitment to teaching hunter safety by winning the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) "Hunter Safety - 2005 Instructor of the Year."

"There's nothing more gratifying than watching a youngster fire a shotgun or head into the field for the first time," Klein said.  "I do this because I value the shooting sports and hunting - and, this is my way of being able to give back to the community."

Klein has volunteered teaching hunter safety and bow hunting since 1994 and acts as the hunter safety area coordinator for his home county of Manatee as well as Charlotte County.  During his 13 years of service to the hunter safety program, he has taught 168 hunter safety courses and donated more than 3,900 hours to the program.  In 2006 alone, he helped certify 569 students.

During 2005, Klein went over and above the call of duty by also volunteering to assist teaching hunter safety classes in Hardee and Polk counties, which had to be rescheduled due to the hurricanes.

Some of the qualities that make Klein an asset to the program are his excellent communication skills and his introduction of "team teaching" to his area's curriculum.  Team teaching is an instructional technique, which helps disseminate information to students and causes less teacher fatigue.

Other achievements to Klein's resume include winning the FWC's regional "Outstanding Volunteer Award" and the "Regional Outstanding Coordinator Award" several times.  He also promotes hunter safety within the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Flying Eagle and works the FWC's hunter safety booth at the State Fair in Tampa every year.

"Volunteer hunter education instructors like Dave Klein not only promote the hunting and shooting sports, but they serve as leaders in our industry," president of Winchester Ammunition Dick Hammett said.  "Winchester is very proud of Mr. Klein along with the other finalists for this award."

For more information on how to become a volunteer hunter safety instructor, call (850) 413-0085 or visit the Hunter Safety section of our Web site .