PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is proud to announce two of the Department’s very own hunter education instructors have been inducted into the International Hunter Education Association’s (IHEA-USA) Hall of Fame. Ray Fischer and Dennis Vincent were inducted at the IHEA-USA’s annual conference May 18-21, 2015 in Des Moines, IA. Fischer, a veteran instructor of 20 years, received the Volunteer Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award, and Vincent, a veteran instructor of 25 years, received the Professional Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award.

Fischer became involved with the Kansas Hunter Education program in 1995 serving as an instructor. Just two short years later, he was named an area coordinator. To date, he has served in several capacities, including serving on the program’s advisory committee for the past seven years.

“Fischer makes learning a fun and rewarding adventure for his students,” said nominator and Kansas Hunter Education coordinator, Kent Barrett. “As busy as he is with family, work and other activities, he always finds time to volunteer.”

Vincent, named the 2014 Kansas Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, is also a committed member of the program.

“Dennis is a down-to-earth spokesman for hunting and shooting,” Barrett said of Vincent. “He is able to communicate with everyone from the politician in the statehouse, to the hunting veteran with 30 years of field experience, to the apprehensive mother watching her 12-year-old son shoot a shotgun for the first time.”

IHEA-USA is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state fish and hunter education programs. These programs throughout the US utilize 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, who teach hunting and shooting safety, as well as hunter ethics and responsibilities.

Through the Hall of Fame program, IHEA-USA annually recognizes professionals and volunteers who go "above and beyond" the call of duty to bring hunter safety education to students and instructors in their states; assist IHEA-USA in a manner that exceeds a general effort; and benefit hunter safety education nationally, including involvement within the community as well as with conservation partners and the hunting and shooting sports industries at the state and national levels. 

For more information on the IHEA Hall of Fame, visit www.ihea.com.

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