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SULLIVAN, Mo.— Former Crawford County conservation agent and current protection district supervisor Tim Tallent of Sullivan has been awarded the distinction of 2017 Conservation Agent Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for the St. Louis Region.
The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Hunter Education Program (HED) helps make Missouri a safer place to hunt. The success of the program is in large part due to the dedication and efforts of the HED instructors like Tallent. HED is taught throughout Missouri by more than 1,400 instructors. Each year, local MDC staff recognizes instructors whose efforts have exceeded their regular teaching duties during the previous year.
During 2017, Agent Tallent taught three HED skills sessions as lead instructor. He helped train 43 students in HED classes during the 21 hours of classroom time he contributed to HED.
In addition to teaching in his assigned county of Crawford, Agent Tallent taught in HED classes in Washington County as well. Tallent also helped move hunter education forward by functioning as a field training agent for a new conservation agent. He trained the new agent in all aspects of teaching HED skills sessions, including introducing him to a local volunteer instructor and helping him become familiar with local facilities in his community.
Tallent extended the reach of HED’s core concepts by conducting a number of firearm and hunting safety presentations to area schools in Sullivan and Bourbon, and the Spring Bluff 4H Club.
“I can't think of a better representative for the Conservation Agent Instructor of the Year Award for 2017 than Agent Tim Tallent,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Conrad Mallady.
Tallent was promoted to protection district supervisor for MDC’s south district of the St. Louis region in February 2018.
As regional conservation agent HED Instructor winner, Agent Tallent will also be considered for the award on the statewide level.
All hunters born on or after January 1, 1967, and who are 16 years of age or older, are required to take and pass a hunter education course or purchase an Apprentice Hunter Authorization before buying a permit. There is an 11-year old age minimum requirement to take the Missouri HED Class.
The HED Program can serve as a refresher for veteran hunters as well. It is also open to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and has an interest in conservation. More information about the program can be found on MDC’s website at https://goo.gl/FO06pn, or by calling (636) 441-4554.
