A Cheboygan man who has been involved in teaching hunter education and firearm safety for 67 years has been named the 2014 Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources recently announced.

Warren Meyer receiving awardWarren Meyer was recognized at the Dec. 11 meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing. Meyer has been a certified instructor since 1998, but he has been involved in teaching hunter education since 1947. Meyer was selected for the honor by a panel of his peers.

Currently, Meyer is part of a team that teaches hunter education at the Cheboygan Sportsman's Club, and has done so since 1987, volunteering thousands of hours of his time. He participates in no fewer than three classes per year, certifying more than 120 students a year. He specializes in muzzleloader hunting, passing on his passion and expertise to his students.

Meyer also donates financially to the program. He has purchased a muzzleloader and all of the accessories to make a display for students. He and his wife, Jackie, also donated a pavilion to the club that students use during outdoor field exercises. He also takes part in the grant-writing process to obtain firearms and other hunter education-related equipment for the club.

"Warren Meyer goes above and beyond to help the students in the Cheboygan area," said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. "Our volunteer instructors make this program successful in Michigan and we are grateful for their service."

Meyer is a World War II veteran, serving in Germany and France, and is now the senior vice president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Cheboygan Post. He also serves as the chaplain and judge advocate of the American Legion Post in Cheboygan.

Also very involved in his community, Meyer is a board member of the Cheboygan Sportsman's Club, serves on the Topinabee Library Board and is a member of the Cheboygan Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. He actively promotes the hunter education program while serving in these organizations.

To learn more about Michigan's Hunter Education program, go to the DNR website www.michigan.gov/huntereducation.

Contact: Sgt. Tom Wanless, 517-284-6026 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815