VHEADLINES

VHEADLINES
F a l l 201 2
A quarterly Newsletter of the Virginia Hunter Education Association
Letter from the President
Greetings to all Association Instructors,
We have now completed all events at Holiday Lake for 2012.
We are now busy with our hunter education classes and I
know there is a lot of interest in classes. I am receiving email requests daily from people across the state trying to
find both regular and internet classes before hunting season.
Officer elections were held at the last Advanced Training
and we welcome a new Region 4 Director, Jason Miller. He
replaces John Dunne who decided not to continue in that
position. Ed Crebbs was elected Secretary, replacing Ralph
Graybill who also decided not to continue. I would like to
thank both John and Ralph for the work they have done for
the Association. Their expertise and experience will be
missed but I am sure the new additions will bring new ideas
and vigor to their offices. I would also like to welcome
“Spud” Almond back for another term as Region 2 Director.
I would like to thank those who supported me for President.
I have enjoyed seeing the many things the Association has
accomplished in the 6 years since we started. I believe we
have done much more than anyone thought we could in such
a short time. I look forward to the next two years as your
president.
We are facing a lot of changes and an uncertain future that
will require all of us to work together to overcome the
obstacles ahead in hunter education. There have been a few
people circulating a lot of false rumors and accusations over
the last two years. Many of these were directed at me and
friends. It is time for this childish behavior to stop and allow
us to focus on the things that are important for the future of
the Association and Hunter Education.
Again I look forward to the next two years and I know that
together we can accomplish many more things for the good
of the program.
Vernie Kennedy
President
Inside This Issue
Letter from the President
Summer Highlights
Board Bulletins
Election Results
Membership Information
Treasurer’s Report
Fall Events
This Just In…….
In Our Sights
Regional Information
1
1-2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4-5
6-7
Summer Highlights
Bayport Hunter Skills Weekend
Bayport Scout Camp in Jamaica, VA was the host
of the 2012 BSA/VHEA/DGIF Hunter Skills Day
on September 8. The goal of the one-day
workshop was to provide training and
information in hunting and related skills, with an
emphasis on safety and ethics. Twenty nine
Scouts eleven years of age and older attended.
The event was staffed by fifteen volunteer Hunter
Ed instructors.
Classes were offered in deer hunting, turkey
hunting, small game hunting, and shotgun.
The “Getting Into Hunting, Ethics, and Deer
Hunting” workshop provided an opportunity for
discussion on why the participants were
interested in hunting and the ethics involved with
the activity.
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Bayport Hunter Skills Weekend
Hunter Skills Weekend
(continued from Page 1)
They were informed about the function and
mission of the VDGIF as well as its role in
conservation, law enforcement, boating safety,
and biology. Tree stand safety was
demonstrated and discussed.
Two workshops in “Basic Shotgun” were
offered and gave many novice shooters the
chance to shoot at static paper targets and
moving clay targets.
A “Small Game & Turkey” workshop included
the skinning of an actual harvested squirrel, a
trail walk with shoot/don’t-shoot scenarios, a
typical turkey blind, and samples of actual
turkey scat.
This was the first event of this kind in the area.
Organizers hope to double the enrollment in
the future and offer it to the public.
The most recent Hunter Skills Weekend was held
August 24, 25 & 26, 2012 at the Holiday Lake
4-H Educational Center in Appomattox, VA.
The event was attended by approximately 65
participants ranging in age from 12 to 65+. Classes
staffed by 38 instructors included bow hunting,
survival, wild game cooking, firearms (rifle,
shotgun, muzzleloader and pistol), waterfowl, deer,
turkey, and small game hunting skills, and much
more.
The overall review from the students was excellent,
in spite of a rain-filled Saturday which forced the
cancellation of several of the outdoor classes.
Dates have already been set for the 2013 Hunter
Skills Weekends: May 3-5 and August 23-25, 2013.
Please visit the Holiday Lake site at
www.holidaylake4h.com as those dates approach
and take the information to your spring classes.
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Board Bulletins
information
to your
classes.from the Board of
MINUTES:
To view
the minutes
Directors’ September 14, 2012 meeting, visit the VHEA
web site (www.vahea.org). On the Home page, left
column, click on “Board Meeting Minutes” at the
bottom of the list. When the new page opens, just click
on the one you want to read.
VHEA Officers:
Vernie Kennedy, President
Rob Zepp, Vice President
Wade White, Treasurer
Ralph Graybill, Secretary
Regional Directors:
Region 1:
Region 2:
Region 3:
Region 4:
Region 5:
vernie_k@msn.com
rlz1951@gmail.com
teamfse1@aol.com
rgraybill@cox.net
Mike Norkus
bowhuntinmike@comcast.net
George "Spud" Almond
galmond@jejamerson.com
George Steele
mariahkelli@verizon.net
John Dunne
keezle1108@verizon.net
Jesse Ebron
jebron@sms.com
Membership Information
(as of 9/14/12)
Membership is at a new record high!
Current membership: 167
Life members:
77 *
*(76 Instructors, 1 Associate life member)
To join, go to VAHEA.ORG, print the membership form
and mail to the address printed at the bottom along
with your check.
Membership options and costs are:
Regular (1-year) $ 20.00
Associate
$ 15.00
Life
$150.00
Look for the
“Virginia Hunter Education Association”
on
And
Us!
Election Results
Officer elections were held during the September
14, 2012 Annual Meeting. Terms will begin on
January 1, 2013.
Officers
President:
Secretary:
Vernie Kennedy
Ed Crebbs
Regional Director updates
Region 2:
George “Spud” Almond
(re-elected)
Region 3:
Mike Cantrell
(appointed for the remainder of George
Steele’s term due to George’s resignation)
Region 4:
Treasurer’s Report
By Wade White, Treasurer
Account – Checking balance as of 9/11/2012
Bedford County Youth Hunts
John Dunne’s Crossbow Hunt
Rob Zepp’s Wounded Warrior Turkey Hunt
HEC
HSW
Bedford Co. HE- Milan Ashbrenner Memorial
Total allocated funds
$ 13,342.87
0
$ 1,529.18
$ 1,135.02
0
0
$ 134.92
$ 2,799.12
General Fund
Unpaid Bills
Budgeted Funds
General Fund Excess
$10,543.75
0
$ 5,695.00
$ 4,848.75
Jason Miller
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Fall Events
Region: 1
New Kent Youth Hunts
The goal of this Youth Hunt is to provide safe, ethical and
rewarding hunting opportunities for Venturing Scouts
from The Boy Scouts of America. This is an opportunity for
youths to hunt either deer or squirrel from assigned
stands or clearly defined areas. This Youth Hunt shall be
conducted under tightly controlled and managed
circumstances in a safe and ethical manner consistent with
all applicable policies, procedures and state regulations
and the safety of all participants shall be its primary
purpose.
Registration Information: Registration is through the
Colonial Virginia Council Boy's and Girl Scouts.
Dates: 29 September, 24 November, 29 December 2012
Location: New Kent Forestry Center, 11301 Pocahontas
Trail, Providence Forge, VA 13140
Contacts: Denny Newhouse, BSA; D.J. Delgado, (Hunt
Master) and Henry McBurney, VHEA
Special Announcements: All volunteers must have
completed the Scout “Youth Protection Training” offered
on line at http://myscouting.scouting.org . This is an online training course that takes 20 to 30 minutes. The
certificate will be kept on file with the Boy Scouts of
America, Colonial Council. Volunteers shall print out the
completed certificate and bring the large copy to Denny
Newhouse or Diana Delgado. This Scout Youth Protection
Training is good for a two year period so those who
completed it last year for the New Kent BSA event will not
have to re-take it this year. All Youth Hunters must log in
(upon arrival) and out (prior to departure) of the New
Kent Forestry Center hunter log book. Several volunteers
are needed to assist scouts to the hunting stand site, sit
with the scout while in the stand and escort them back at
the conclusion of the hunts. (This is necessary in order to
conform to the two deep rule.) To volunteer contact D.J.
Delgado at 757-870-7094.
Region: 4
4th Annual Wounded Veteran Crossbow Hunt
Event organizers hope to provide a supervised hunt for 7
veterans this year. Parker is providing crossbows and the
Wounded Warriors are to come from Quantico Marine Base.
Date: Saturday, October 13, 2012
Location: Norva Hunt Club, Frederick County.
Contacts: John Dunne (540) 234-8774 and Lee Turner
(703) 490-1884
This Just In…….
The Board approved the purchase of nine safety
lines and four youth full body harnesses for use at
training events.
Congratulations to Angie Leigh and Monty
Brackenridge for earning their 5,000 hour award!
Check out the VHEA Instructor’s online forum
Developed by the VHEA specifically for connecting with
Virginia Hunter Education Instructors, it’s a great way to
voice opinions, discuss ideas, solve problems and
otherwise communicate with your local teaching peers.
To get started, go to the “Membership” page of the VHEA
web site (www.vahea.org) and click on “Link to VAHEA
Instructors Bulletin Board”.
(For problems signing up or to contact the Forum
Administrator, Wade White, e-mail teamfse1@aol.com
and be prepared to provide your full name and HE ID
number.)
Register today!
In Our Sights
By Wendy Hyde
VHEA Charter Member – “Danny” Bartee
Some good things start later in life – and in Danny Bartee’s
case, that was becoming a Hunter Education Instructor.
Lester “Danny” Bartee has been an instructor since 1995,
when at age 52 he attended Basic Instructor Training. He
“hit the ground running” and has earned the rank of Master
Instructor. He enjoys teaching shotgun, map and compass,
and muzzleloader. In 2001 his efforts and dedication were
recognized with the Morgan Award.
So how did this enthusiasm begin? Danny had difficulty
finding a concealed carry class so in 1993 he registered for
a Hunter Education class instead. He already had an
interest in muzzleloading hunting, and harvested his first
deer in the late 70’s. After going through the class and
reflecting on his own personal experience he thought he
could do a more in depth class on the muzzleloader. Soon
after, he had the opportunity to ask a Warden how to get
started. The rest is history.
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In Our Sights
(continued from Page 4)
Danny was born in Danville, VA, and grew up outside the city
limits. While attending Whitmell Farm Life High School he met
Margie Holley, his wife of 51 years. The high school
sweethearts got engaged, she graduated and started working
while he finished his final year. During the last 2 years of
school he worked second shift in a cotton mill to help support
his parents, a younger brother and twin sisters. Danny and
Margie were married on a Saturday, he graduated on a
Sunday, and he went to work the next day! They had two
children; their daughter enjoys target shooting, and his son
and two grandsons have followed in Danny’s footsteps and
hunt with muzzleloaders and rifles.
Danny always enjoyed shooting but his interest in hunting did
not develop until he met other men who enjoyed the activity.
They nurtured that interest and he started muzzleloader
hunting. His kids – having heard of his interest – bought him a
Kentucky .45 caliber pistol kit for Christmas. Danny likes
doing anything with his hands and one thing led to another.
Once he decided to hunt, he assembled a TC .45 caliber rifle,
and then came “Bartee #1” – a left-handed .45 caliber flintlock
built from scratch. He started making leather gear similar to
those used by early muzzleloader hunters. Then there’s
knitting he learned from his aunt. He makes Voyager caps like
the ones worn during the French and Indian War and sells
them to re-enactors.
Danny is an avid motorcyclist. He had a scooter in high school
but always wanted a big bike; his father talked him into
buying a car instead. He bought his first Kawasaki when he
was in his early 30’s and remains loyal to the brand. He went
a number of years without one, then started riding again in the
90’s to save fuel and make the long rides to work enjoyable.
He has ridden 25 years without an accident.
In 2005 Danny was asked to help establish an organization to
support the Virginia Hunter Education program. Discussion
and development took 1 ½ years, then in a single meeting the
decision was made to form VHEA, by-laws were adopted, and
board members were elected. Danny was a charter member of
the VHEA and served as Treasurer for 5 years. His efforts
included developing communication channels, establishing
organization and maintaining records for the fledgling
association. He declined re-election, thinking that occasional
changes in leadership are healthy and bring in new ideas.
women and family outdoors programs, 4-H shooting camps,
Boy Scout activities, NWTF Jakes events, youth hunts, and is
CPR/AED/First Aid certified. In the early 70’s he volunteered
as a fire fighter in the Mt. Hermon VFD and has served as Vice
Chairman on the Board of Directors for the last 25 years.
When he’s not volunteering, Danny drives a bus for Chatham
Middle School and High School in his home county of
Pittsylvania. This is his “retirement”. After working as a rural
letter carrier for 28 years (where he was his own mailman),
then as Postmaster in Alton, VA for 6 years, he retired at the
age of 65. Having always thought driving a school bus would
be fun, he trained and started as a substitute driver. Twentyfive buses and one year later he received a permanent
assignment. Danny enjoyed getting to know the staff at both
schools and was encouraged to substitute teach. He now
enjoys subbing at the middle school between bus runs!
Winning the Morgan Award came as a surprise to this man of
many talents, and he feels it was a humbling experience. He
recalled attending his first Advanced Training session and
seeing so many instructors he looked up to. Danny admits, “I
worked so hard at being an instructor because I saw so many
people teaching and doing such a good job, and they had the
bar set so high I knew I would have a hard time getting to
their level. What I did not know was they would keep raising
the bar and I would still be trying to measure up today. I
thank my fellow instructors for any success I have had and I
am still learning.”
If that all isn’t enough……..he is currently the Pittsylvania
County Hunter Education Coordinator, instructs Hunter
Education and Boating Safety, teaches at both Hunter Skills
Weekends and Advanced Training sessions, volunteers at
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Regional Information
When VHEA’s by-laws were defined at the time of incorporation as a 501(c)3 organization, 5 Regions of representation were
defined consistent with those of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In 2010 when VDGIF’s Regions 4 and 5
were combined into a single Region 4, VHEA Board Members voted to keep it’s regions as originally established in lieu of a reorganization which would require changing and filing new by-laws with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the
Internal Revenue Service. The lists below and the map on the following page detail the 5 VHEA regions.
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Accomack
Charles City
Essex
Gloucester
Greensville
Isle of Wight
James City
King George
King & Queen
King William
Lancaster
Mathews
Middlesex
New Kent
Northampton
Northumberland
Prince George
Richmond
Southampton
Surry
Sussex
Westmoreland
York
Amelia
Amherst
Appomattox
Bedford
Botetourt
Brunswick
Buckingham
Campbell
Charlotte
Cumberland
Dinwiddie
Franklin
Halifax
Lunenburg
Mecklenburg
Nelson
Nottoway
Patrick
Pittsylvania
Prince Edward
Roanoke
Bland
Buchanan
Carroll
Dickenson
Floyd
Giles
Grayson
Lee
Montgomery
Pulaski
Russell
Scott
Smyth
Tazewell
Washington
Wise
Wythe
Alleghany
Augusta
Bath
Clarke
Frederick
Highland
Page
Rockbridge
Rockingham
Shenandoah
Warren
Albemarle
Caroline
Chesterfield
Culpeper
Fairfax
Fauquier
Fluvanna
Goochland
Greene
Hanover
Henrico
Loudoun
Louisa
Madison
Orange
Powhatan
Prince William
Rappahannock
Spotsylvania
Stafford
Cities of
Chesapeake,
Hampton,
Newport News,
Norfolk, Suffolk
and Virginia
Beach
Cities of
Charlottesville
and Richmond
Cities of
Petersburg and
Roanoke
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