Miles City’s Dale Tribby named instructor of the year; Arneson gets 35-year award

Nearly 40 volunteer instructors gathered in Miles City March 29 for FWP Region 7’s annual Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education Instructor Workshop.

They heard program updates from Francis Reishus, FWP’s outdoor skills program manager in Helena, and celebrated awards earned by several instructors for years of service.

Dale Tribby of Miles City was named Instructor of the Year for FWP Region for his work with hunter education. Tribby began teaching hunter ed in South Dakota and joined the Custer County group of instructors in 2016.

According to Caleb Bollman, chief instructor for Custer County, “Dale, an avid turkey hunter, enters the room with head net on and diaphragm call, yelping to bring kids into the turkey woods while covering the important dos and don’ts of spring gobbler hunting.” Bollman noted that he belongs to many conservation organizations and committees to advocate for protecting hunting privileges.

Tribby received a plaque and an engraved Buck knife.

James Arneson of Miles City earned the longest service award this year, having contributed 35 years to Custer County’s hunter education program.

David Smith of Miles City, and Charles Osborn and Ben Steele of Glendive all received 30-year service awards for hunter ed.

Richard Madler of Baker was honored for 25 years in both hunter and bowhunter education, and Ron Sorenson of Sidney marked 25 years in hunter ed.

Caleb Bollman of Miles City and Erika Drake of Colstrip both hit the 15-year mark for hunter education.

Those who have devoted 10 years to hunter ed are Ryan Nottestand of Glendive, and Kyle Senner and Greg Sodt of Richey. Tom Hedegaard and Ron Sorenson of Sidney and Charles Osborn of Glendive earned 10-year awards for bowhunter ed.

James Saylor of Colstrip received a five-year award for hunter ed.

The hunter, bowhunter and trapper education programs are always in need of more people who are interested in teaching. For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/volunteer-instructors, or call Marla Prell at FWP at 406-234-0926 or email mprell@mt.gov.