DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
May 3, 2013
DNR recognizes Volunteers of the Year
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Education Section recently recognized volunteers who assist in teaching hunter education classes and mentor on youth hunts. DNR recognized all the volunteers that have put in many hours for youth education around the state during a banquet in Columbia on April 26. Bruce Compton of Lexington County was recognized as the recipient of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) William W. Matthews, Jr. Take One Make One (TOMO) Volunteer of the Year Award. Jack Truesdale of Kershaw County was recognized as the 2013 State Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.
The William W. Matthews, Jr. TOMO Volunteer of the Year, Bruce Compton, has been involved with the TOMO program since 2008. He has tirelessly donated his time, effort, and talent for the advancement of the program. He has been so successful at organizing youth hunts, that DNR personnel are not needed on site when he is running a youth hunt for TOMO. On several youth turkey hunts, he has given TOMO youth participants a custom made turkey call. Compton has also been responsible for several youth hunts for children of active military personnel who are stationed overseas. In addition to his leadership on youth hunts, he has been responsible for over $20,000 being donated to the Take One Make One Program over the past few years. Each year, he submits a grant to the Golden State Foods Foundation on behalf of the Take One Make One Program and the Thomas Caughman Memorial Fund.
Jack Truesdale was recognized as the State Hunter Education Volunteer and Region 2 Volunteer (York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield, Kershaw, and Lee counties). Jack has been a volunteer for the DNR Education section for over seven years. In 2012, Truesdale organized and taught 10 Hunter Education classes in Kershaw and surrounding counties. In addition to teaching hunter education classes, he has served as a line judge at the State Archery in Schools Tournament in Columbia. Jack also coordinated three separate TOMO youth hunts during the past year: one deer hunt, one hog hunt, and one turkey hunt.
Other regional volunteers were also recognized for their dedication:
- REGION 1 (Spartanburg, Union, Laurens, and Greenwood) – Pete Peace
- REGION 1 (Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield) – David Brooks
- REGION 2 (Chesterfield, Marlboro, Dillon, Marion, Florence, Darlington, Williamsburg) – Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge (Don Cockman & Doug Mason)
- REGION 3 (Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg, and Calhoun) – Mid Carolina Gun Club (Ron Golini, George Jackson, Bernie Shuler)
- REGION 3 (Newberry, Saluda, Lexington, Richland, Sumter, and Clarendon) – Larry Shontere
- REGION 4 (Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and Beaufort) – Danny Vinson
- REGION 4 (Horry, Georgetown, Berkeley, and Charleston) – Robert Setlock
The TOMO program, operated through DNR Law Enforcement Division, specifically targets youth and young adults who have not experienced a previous shooting or hunting activity, but welcomes any participants. Participants are paired with volunteer hunting club members and private landowners who sponsor and actively participate in a year-round hunting, fishing, and shooting sports mentorship program. For more information on TOMO, to enroll as a student, or for information on how to become an adult sponsor and mentor call toll free 1-800-277-4301. Find out more at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/tomo/index.html.
All residents and nonresidents born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course before a hunting license can be obtained. To find a class or to volunteer call 1-800-277-4301 or check http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/hunted.html.
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