Hunter Education Instructor of the Year

A Yarmouth County man has been named the 2002 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year. Dave Watson of Tusket, a member of Yarmouth's Scotia Sporstmen Club, was named the title winner by the Department of Natural Resources today, Feb. 7.

"This award provides an excellent opportunity to reward volunteer contributions to the overall safety of Nova Scotians during hunting season," said Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive.

Mr. Watson has more than 36 years of experience and has taught hundreds of Nova Scotians how to hunt safely.

"Instructors like Dave Watson are the foundation of hunting safety in Nova Scotia," said Gordon Wilson, the department's area supervisor for Yarmouth and Shelburne counties. "They are the people out there making an impression on new hunters about the importance of hunting safely."

More than 160 volunteer hunter education instructors work through non-profit service clubs to deliver hunter education programs across Nova Scotia throughout the year.

The efforts of instructors like Mr. Watson have helped reduce the number of hunting accidents in the province. Since 1993, there have been fewer than five accidents per year. To date, this year's hunting season is accident free.

"When Nova Scotia has accident free seasons, it helps promote the sport to others," Mr. Wilson said. "It reflects well on the province of Nova Scotia to visitors who will come here to hunt."

The Department of Natural Resources has presented the Instructor of the Year award since 1994 to recognize volunteer instructors who have made an outstanding effort to promote hunter education in Nova Scotia.