The University of Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery is proud to present “Heart of a Dog” by artist Birdie Hall. The gallery will host an opening reception on March 31, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery located in Main Hall. Birdie Hall (b. 1994) is an artist based in Montana and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Montana Western. Her paintings, etchings, drawings, and soft sculpture reimagine familiar archetypes and landscapes with a sly sense of humor, while touching on themes of spirituality, psychedelics, nature, visionary poetry, modernist literature, epistemology of science, theories of the New Age, ethnobotany, reproductive history, and the afterlife. Her work, which often combines visual and textual elements, is born of an interest in a return to bodily experience amid the alienation of modernity and technology, as well as with a deep concern for the liberation of all sentient beings from suffering. She received her undergraduate degree in philosophy in 2018 and in 2021 an MFA in printmaking from NYU. The reception is free for all to attend and will feature light refreshments and music. The “Heart of a Dog” exhibition will be open for viewing from March 31 to April 21, 2023. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information about the exhibition, please contact Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator, Nathaniel Freeman: nathaniel.freeman@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7059.

The University of Montana Western will honor two outstanding community members, Dr. Glen Johnson and Alyssa Creighton, with the 2023 Dr. Jane Helm Maddock Service Award on April 12, 2023, for their extraordinary service to UMW and the Dillon community. The awards dinner and recognition ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Lewis and Clark Room in Mathews Hall on the UMW campus. Montana Western will also recognize five inspiring UMW students for their high levels of civic and volunteer engagement. Dr. Glen Johnson Dr. Glen Johnson graduated from Superior High School in 1973 where he participated in a variety of sports and clubs. Johnson attended Western Montana College from 1974-1978 where he also played football for the Bulldogs. He was a member of the 1977 Frontier Conference Championship team. While at WMC, Glen was a member of the ASWMC Central Board, served as junior class president, and was president of the M Club. His 40-year teaching career began at Shelby Public Schools in the fall of 1978. Johnson went on to teach, coach, and serve as principal or superintendent at various schools throughout Montana. He retired in 2018 from Dillon Elementary where he was the superintendent for ten years. Johnson served on the Southwest Montana Family YMCA board, multiple Parish councils and Chamber of Commerce boards over the years as well as sitting on the executive board of the Montana High School Association. He continued his involvement at Montana Western by serving as president and vice president of the Bulldog Club and he was on the UMW athletic director search committee. Glen is a champion of all things Montana Western and continues to keep the Old Dogs connected to each other and their alma mater. He has organized reunions for many years, keeping old and new Bulldog alumni engaged with Montana Western. He most recently served on the Bulldog Sports & Activities Complex campaign committee and was instrumental in helping to elevate the Bulldog Tailgate experience at home football games. During Dr. Johnson’s years in education, he was awarded the Dufresne Foundation Teacher of the Year in 1989, and was presented with the Montana School Boards Association Community Service Award in 2014. Montana Western is honored to present Dr. Johnson with this award after 40 years of dedication and commitment to education, Montana Western, and his community. Alyssa Creighton After graduating from Havre High School in 2001, Alyssa (Matter) Creighton moved to Dillon to continue her education at the University of Montana Western and to play basketball for the Bulldogs. Her educational background includes an AAS in Computer Systems Technology, BS in Business Administration from Montana Western, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Montana. In 2006, Alyssa and her husband Cory moved back to Dillon where she became an outstanding pillar of the community. For the past 17 years, Alyssa has served as a licensed consultant at Mountainview Insurance. Shortly after moving to Dillon, Alyssa got involved in coaching youth softball. Since 2016, she has been the president of the Dillon ASA travel fastpitch program and currently serves as the president of the Beaverhead Little League. Alyssa is currently a volunteer assistant coach with the BCHS softball team and is an integral part of the fundraising efforts to redesign and renovate the softball fields at Ray Lynch Park. Alyssa is in charge of membership for the Beaver Booster Club and is currently the president of the non-profit organization, Dillon Baseball and Softball Association. When Cory and Alyssa returned to Dillon, they jumped at the chance to be a host family for Bulldog student-athletes. To date, they have hosted two volleyball and five basketball players, all while raising their four girls. Alyssa has been a constant supporter of Montana Western, attending events and sponsoring many fundraising activities in support of UMW students and programs. Alyssa’s passion for Montana Western, the Dillon community, and local youth organizations is what makes her a deserving recipient of the Dr. Jane Helm Maddock Service Award. Five UMW students will be recognized for their civic and volunteer engagement during the event, including: John Mears, Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship recipient, Mesa King, Montana Athletes in Service award recipient, and Rachel Marchant, Newman Civic Fellowship Award recipient. Maggie Lund and Jacob Christenson will each receive the Dr. Jane Helm Maddock Student Service Award. If you would like to purchase tickets to the Dr. Jane Helm Maddock Service Awards Dinner, please contact the Foundation and Alumni Office by calling 406-683-7306 no later than April 7, 2023. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for Montana Western students and include drinks, dinner, and dessert.

The Music Department at Beaverhead County High School is excited to announce that ten students were accepted into and performed with honor ensembles at the National Association for Music Education’s Northwest Conference in Bellevue, Washington, February 17th and 18th. Henry Hawes, Euphonium, Aubrey Hawley, Clarinet, Micaiah Kizzar, Euphonium, Sage McKnight, Trumpet and Hunter Wigen, Trombone performed with the Wind Symphony and Hailey Powell, Tuba, performed with the All Northwest Band. Katie Johnson, Kyra Mitchell and Kaycee Pilon performed with the All Northwest Mixed Choir, and Audrey Zeren performed with the All Northwest Treble Choir. Students joined over 1000 other outstanding high school student musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming for this gala event. They rehearsed and performed in concert under the direction of world-renowned conductors. These All-Northwest musicians were selected from nearly 3000 students who auditioned to participate in this outstanding event, which is managed by the Washington Music Educators Association. Many professional musicians credit their All-Northwest experience as crucial in their decision to choose music as a career. Thousands of others whose career paths took them in different directions have great memories of participating in this inspiring and motivating musical experience and claim that it was a life-changing experience for them. Well-known Northwesterners who have participated in past years’ All-Northwest groups include trumpeters Doc Severinson and Allen Vizzutti, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist David Horsey, 2008 National Teacher of the Year Andrea Peterson, and jazz saxophonist Kenny G. This is the highest honor achievable in Montana high school music and we are so proud of these students! Congratulations to these outstanding musicians on this amazing honor!

Just in from the Beaverhead County Sheriff's office. At the Monida crossing a five engine, 72 cars train derailed. The train hit a snowbank causing only the front half of the lead engine to come off the tracks. No chemical spillage occurred. The Monida crossing to the centennial valley could be possibly closed into tomorrow. Photo Credit Beaverhead County Sheriff

The Dillon Middle School Academic Olympic team defended their state title in Bozeman yesterday March 14th. The A team fought hard to come out on top and bring home the trophy again for the DMS. Members of the teams are: A Team (State Champions): Daria Adkins, Aven Pflieger, Athan Graham, Ean Field, Eli Freeman B Team: Lilla Guiberson, James Seidensticker, Evelyn Tolman, Finn Fitch, Kestrel Aiken, Alternate: Brody Curnow C Team: Luis Guitierrez, Jordyn Martinez, Declan Oswald, Everett Sitton, Zane Garrison, Alternate: Greer Morstein They are coached by (DMA Science Teacher) Diane Martin, great job to the coach and competitors. Thank you to Emily Freeman for giving us a heads up on this achievement, if you have news you would like to share please email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com.

UMW Sports Press Release SIOUX CITY, Iowa — After a two and a half hour delayed tip-off, the Montana Western Women’s Basketball team defeated the No. 4 ranked and No. 2 seeded Dordt University (Iowa) 89-79 in a game that lasted through early Wednesday morning. The Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals to take on the No. 3 ranked and No. 1 seeded Thomas More (Ky.) (29-3). “We knew it was going to be really hard, which it should be this time of the year. A ton of respect for Dordt after watching film on them these few days. We knew it was going to be hard for us to stop them, but sometimes offense wins games and tonight that was the case.” Head coach Lindsay Woolley said after the win. How It Happened The two teams traded the lead through the start of the contest as no team led more than six points at any time in the first two quarters. Dordt’s Bailey Beckman made a layup to stretch the Defenders’ first quarter lead to five at 12-7 with five minutes left in the first quarter. Jordan Sweeney answered by draining her first of five threes in the matchup to cut back into the lead. Dordt ended the first quarter going on a 7-0 run to go into the second quarter up 22-17 on the Bulldogs. Brynley Fitzgerald’s three-point play with just under five minutes left in the half tied the game at 29. The two teams continued on to trade back and forth before the Defenders claimed a 41-39 lead heading into the second half. UMW found their stride in the third quarter on their way to a 10-point lead and scoring from behind the arch four out of five trips down the floor. Isabella Lund converted her three into a four-point play after sinking a long three and sinking a shot from the charity stripe. The Defenders chipped away at the Bulldogs lead in the last two minutes of the third quarter and closed the gap to four points at 65-61. Just seconds into the fourth quarter, Dordt hit a three to cut into the lead once again at just one point. Fitzgerald answered by hitting back-to-back threes to boost the Bulldogs to a 71-66 lead with 6:49 on the clock. Following a field goal from Shainy Mack, Montana Western held onto a nine-point lead with under three minutes remaining in the game. Despite the lead, Dordt used a quick 5-0 scoring run to cut it back within just four points. UMW’s Joelnell Momberg sealed the deal after she hit a deep three with under a minute in the game and the Bulldogs claimed victory just after midnight at 89-79. “It was a great win for us. It was a battle and like coach said they were a very talented team offensively. We kind of made some adjustments on defense throughout the game and battled it out. Us being connected as a team helped us come out on top. Credit to our upperclassman and the leadership they showed. The maturity helped us a lot. It was a great team win and we are back at it tomorrow.” Sophomore guard Joelnell Momberg said after the win. Notables • The Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals again for the first time since they won a title in 2019. • UMW shot a season high of 61.5 percent from the field and 62.5 from the arc. They also hit 15 threes and were 76.9 percent from the charity stripe. • The Bulldogs were an impressive 80 percent from the field in the second half. • Jordan Sweeney led all scorers with 24 points while Brynley Fitzgerald followed with 22 points of her own. Both had career nights as Sweeney hit a career high five three pointers and Fitzgerald totaled a career high seven assists. • Shainy Mack was 5-6 from the field and added 13 points and an assist. • Emily Cooley came off the bench and added nine points, had two rebounds, and two assists. Up Next The Bulldogs will turn around and play tomorrow Wednesday, March 15 at 7PM MST against the No. 3 ranked and No. 1 seeded Thomas More (Ky.). The Saints captured the national championship last season over Dordt University and are an overall 29-3 on the season. Thomas More enters the matchup after they defeated the No. 5 seed Cumberlands (Ky.) 91-61 this evening.

Frontier Conference Commissioner Kent Paulson released the 2022 Academic All-Conference Football team today. Two hundred forty-three football student- athletes were recognized across the Frontier Conference. The Montana Western Football team had 16 athletes selected to the list. To be eligible for the team, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in standing and maintain a 3.25 GPA.

March 15, 2023 7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A. MINUTES 1. Approve March 01, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes B. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Montana Municipal Institute For Elected Officials Reminder May 2nd – 4th C . MAYOR’S REPORT 1. Appointment of Jordan Arthur to the position of Probationary Patrolman D. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY 1. Library Board – Diane Armstrong, Council Member; Lori Canady, Library Director a. Accept January 24, 2023 Meeting Minutes 2. Attorney – Sky S. Jones 3. Planning Board- Don Hand, Dan Nye a. Accept January 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes 4. Zoning Commission – Raymond Graham, Russ Schwandt a. Accept February 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes 5. Board of Adjustments – Mary Jo O’Rourke, Stephen Sievert 6. Director of Operations -- Todd Hazelbaker 7. Police Department – Police Chief Jeremy Alvarez a. Accept February 2023 Total Incident Report 8. Fire Department -- Fire Chief, BJ Klose a. Accept February 2023 Activity Report b. Approve City Clerk Report for Fire Hall for February 2023 c. Approve Budget vs. Expenditures for Fire Hall for February 2023 9. City Court – Judge Virginia Cook a. February 2023 City Court Report 10. Treasurer – Karen Kipp 11. Tree Board – Mary Jo O’Rourke a. Accept February 7, 2023 Meeting Minutes E. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Judiciary Committee – Dan Nye, Chair; Diane Armstrong, Raymond Graham a. Approve February 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes 2. Finance Committee – Don Hand, Chair; Russ Schwandt, Dan Nye 3. Fire and Order Committee – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Mary Jo O’Rourke, Raymond Graham 4. Health and Welfare – Diane Armstrong, Chair; Mary Jo O’Rourke, Joe Brandon a. Approve February 23, 2023 Meeting Minutes – Amended 5. Cemetery Committee – George Johnston, Chair; Stephen Sievert, Diane Armstrong a. Approve February 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes 6. Parks Committee –Stephen Sievert, Chair; Mary Jo O’Rourke, Raymond Graham 7. City Hall Committee – Raymond Graham, Chair; Stephen Sievert, Dan Nye 8. Street and Alley Committee –Dan Nye, Chair; Don Hand, Russ Schwandt a. Approve March 6, 2023 Meeting Minutes b. Set Date/Time for Public Hearing, Resolution to Vacate Barrett and Short Streets 9. Water and Sewer Committee –Don Hand, Chair; Russ Schwandt, George Johnston a. Approve March 7, 2023 Meeting Minutes b. Approve March 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes c. Discuss/Approve final payment to Mungas Company F. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY G. ADJOURNMENT

The 2023 International Fly Fishing Film Festival is coming to Dillon, Montana, on March 18, 2023, featuring 10 short and feature-length films. The event will be held at the Beier Auditorium on the University of Montana Western campus on March 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets will be available for $10 at the door and UMW students who present their Bulldog Card can attend for free. Among the films in the festival are Crouching Tiger, Hidden Damsel, with oversized tiger trout, a prolific damsel fly hatch, and an obscure mountain lake; Of the Sea, brothers explore the elusive Banco Chinchorro off the coast of Xcalak; Jacks, giant trevally attacking from deep ocean water; Father Nature, a guided trip on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park; A Slam that Saves, four species of bass found only in the Appalachians; and Dollar Dog, Atlantic salmon in Cape Breton’s Margaree River. Others include The Focus, a story of three anglers who revisit a remote mountain stream; Chesapeake – A Love Letter to a Watershed, the landscapes and environments of a special place; and Gold Fever, undiscovered water in the middle of the Amazon jungle. Event attendees can win fly fishing-related prizes and awards from Film Festival sponsors. One person will be selected winner of the 2023 Grand Prize valued at thousands of dollars of merchandise. For more information on the film festival, featured films, dates and locations, visit flyfilmfest.com or contact info@flyfilmfest.com .

Joe has touched so many lives—through his work at the University of Montana Western Birch Creek Center, teaching skiing at Maverick, fixing bikes for needy kids—and we are trying to give back to this guy with such a big heart! The fundraiser will be Sunday March 19—there will be a potato bar, music, and silent auction 4-6 (silent auction items will be on display all day.) People can reach out to us via joebrandonmedicalfund@gmail.com or (406) 925-3961 if they have items to donate that need to be picked up. We have a beautiful handmade wooden fly box and hand-tied flies, a ski-and-stay package for Maverick and Elkhorn, a couple of guns, Patagonia gear, lots of fun baskets donated.

After three days off last week for a transmittal break, the Montana Legislature is back in the State Capitol to kick off the second half of our 68th session. While I was back in SW Montana for transmittal break, I had a chance to attend the George Grant Trout Unlimited Banquet, and visit with Labor Union Leaders in Butte, which is in the Northern most part of my Senate District. I also had a chance to discuss Grizzly Bear and Wolf management with ranchers the Madison and Ruby Valleys, I spoke at the Beaverhead GOP Lincoln-Reagan dinner in Dillon, and talked water policy changes with local ranchers, thanks to all for taking the time to discuss issues important to you. Now moving on to the second half of the session, Thursday was a fairly slow start to the final 45 days, as the Senate held only a brief floor session. The House returned to the floor on Friday. Moving forward, the action is going to pick up quickly. Out of 1,413 bills introduced at the Legislature so far, it appears about a quarter, or well over 300 general bills, failed to clear their first chamber before the transmittal deadline, meaning they’re likely dead. However, bills that appropriate money or raise or lower state revenues don’t have to pass through their first house until the 67th legislative day, which is about a month from now. The only committee meeting on Thursday was the full House Appropriations Committee, which is continuing work on House Bill 2, the main state budget bill. During the meeting, lawmakers discussed the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services budget, by far the biggest section of HB 2. We as a group of appropriations and finance sub committee chairs and vice chairs met as a group on Saturday morning, to discuss details of each agency budget, with the Governor’s office of budget planning, ahead of HB 2 being voted on, first in the House, before it moves too the Senate for our deliberations. Committee leaders expect to take action on HB 2 next week, to get it finalized before it gets a hearing on the House floor. Also up for discussion in the second half of the session will be proposals to amend the Montana Constitution, which share the later transmittal deadline. Six proposed amendments are currently introduced and active in the Legislature, including proposals to establish a right to hunt and trap using “current means and methods,” add “constitutional carry” to the document’s right to bear arms, and revise the Montana Board of Regents’ authority in response to recent court cases that limited how the Legislature could set laws affecting state college campuses. Several other amendment proposals are ready to be submitted. Any proposal to amend the Constitution must receive support from 100 lawmakers – two-thirds of the Legislature – to be put on the next general election ballot. If all 102 members of the Republican supermajority vote together, they can put an amendment in front of voters. To date, I haven’t signed onto, nor agreed to support any changes to our Constitution. The proposed constitutional change that would embed Montanans right to hunt, fish and trap into our constitution, has raised both support and concerns from many of you. Let me be clear, I support hunting, fishing trapping, and all of our outdoor heritage as much as anyone, but I feel this proposal sets dangerous precedent, here are questions raised in my mind; From a private property rights perspective you don’t let someone hunt on your land, can they then take you to court? Or if you’re out hunting with family, and shoot an elk that someone else has been stalking, can they have you arrested for interfering with their right to hunt? Or how about non- residents, under equal protection clause of Montana's constitution, could they then be entitled to same tags that we as Montanas can procure over the counter, in the same manner, for same price and without being in a drawing? Worse yet, could residents and non-residents alike take game or fish, out of season should it become a right? Due to all of these unanswered questions, and lack of case law to give us perspective, I feel hunting, fishing and trapping should remain a privilege, but not a right. One that you keep by following the law, or lose when you don’t. In closing, the Legislature also has to sort out the many policy bills that did move forward before transmittal. They include a flurry of bills dealing with zoning and housing availability, proposals to change election rules and judicial procedures and bills for establishing charter schools in the state. I will do my best to keep an keep an eye on these issues and more, as we move into the last two plus months of the 68th session.

The University of Montana Western Athletics Department has removed the interim tag and named Patrick Jensen as the next head coach of the men’s basketball program. “As I was thinking about our next head coach, I wanted to find someone that could build a program long term, develop a culture of winning and most importantly, have a positive impact on the lives of current and future Bulldogs,” Director of Athletics Michael Feuling said. “Success is built by character, doing the little things, hard work, and dedication. Throughout my reflection, those traits kept leading me back to Pat.” Jensen, who will be the 13th head coach in program history, served as the Bulldogs’ Associate Head Coach over the course of the last five seasons. “I want to thank Chancellor Reid and Director of Athletics Michael Feuling for believing in me and for this amazing opportunity,” Patrick Jensen said. “This is a humbling experience, the amount of people who have helped and supported me throughout my career, I am so thankful and appreciative of all of you. I am excited to continue to work with our current student-athletes, as well as the incoming ones. UMW basketball has an incredible history thanks to all the former coaches and players and we plan on continuing to build on that tradition. Basketball has afforded me so many incredible experiences in my life and I hope to be able to continue to pass on those experiences to others.” Jensen played at Montana State-Northern from 2010-2015 where he was part of two regular and one postseason Frontier Conference championships, along with four appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. He spent three seasons with Idaho State University, two as a graduate assistant, and the 2017-18 season as Director of Player Development. “With Pat’s deep basketball connections throughout the state of Montana, we have been fortunate these past three years to keep him in Dillon,” added Feuling. “He is well respected and in years past, has even turned down other offers. He has shown his commitment to UMW, our student-athletes, the campus community, and the city of Dillon. He has earned this chance to lead our program.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 15-ranked and No. 4 seeded University of Montana Western Bulldog Women’s Basketball team took home two victories following the NAIA First and Second Round games in Park City, Kan. They now travel to Sioux City, Iowa where they will be competing in the round of 16 against the No. 4 ranked and No. 2 seeded Dordt University (Iowa). The Bulldogs (27-5) qualified for the NAIA tournament after receiving an at-large bid and receiving a No. 4 seed in the Cramer Quadrant. The Bulldogs defeated the No. 14 seeded Philander Smith (Ark.) in the first round by a final score of 79-48. They turned around and narrowly topped the No. 11 seeded Sterling (Kan.) by a final score of 72-68. The Bulldogs are led in scoring by Brynley Fitzgerald with 18.3 points per game and Jordan Sweeney with 12.8 points per game. The Dordt Defenders (30-3) were the 2022-23 regular season Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Champion and earned an automatic berth into the tournament. They earned a No. 2 seed in the Cramer Quadrant and are ranked No. 4 in the NAIA. The Defenders defeated the No. 15 seed Iowa Wesleyan 76-63 in the first round and downed the No. 10 seeded Mayville State (N.D.) 82-66 in the second round. The Defenders are led by three who average in double-digits; Karly Gustafson with 16.6 points per game, Bailey Beckman with 15.4 points per game, and No. Janie Schoonhoven with 11.8 points per game. The two teams are slated to tip-off on Tuesday, March 14 at 7PM MST. This is the first time the two teams will be facing each other in Montana Western Women’s Basketball history. Tournament Information Location Tyson Events Center 401 Gordon Dr Sioux City, Iowa Tickets Tickets are available online through the Tyson Events Center. Each day is $15 per adult, student rate is $8 with valid ID, military discounted tickets are $10, and all guests under nine years old are free.

From The Dillon Police Department Facebook Page On March 11, 2023 at 8:18PM Dillon Police Department responded to an apartment building on fire, on N Dakota St. On scene they quickly learned the apartment building had several occupants still inside. They made a quick decision to enter the apartment building, safely evacuating everyone inside. Beaverhead Volunteer Fire Department responded and quickly prevented the fire from spreading any further. Beaverhead EMS and Beaverhead County Sheriffs department arrived to assist as well. 2 Dillon Police Officers are being treated for smoke inhalation at Barrett Hospital Emergency room.

Updated 9:05 A.M. Saturday March, 11 Monida is open Monida Pass is closed Friday morning due to blowing snow and multiple wrecks. The Beaverhead County Road Dept. is also warning travelers not to use highway 324 that turns into highway 29 on the Idaho side, as Idaho has closed this road as well. The road department is reporting 4 foot drifts on the Montana side of 324.

Volunteer hunter and bowhunter education instructors were recognized this weekend for their contributions to the program at the annual instructor workshop in Billings. Instructors are invaluable in creating the next generation of safe, ethical and responsible hunters, and maintaining our hunting heritage in Montana. Between Jan. 1, 2021, and March 1, 2023, Region 5 had 582 in-person students in hunter and bowhunter education classes. Service awards are given to instructors for every five years of active teaching. Special recognition awards are given to those instructors who have shown initiative in enhancing the program. This year, Brian Thorson, Jr. of Billings was awarded Instructor of the Year, and Irv Wilke of Laurel received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Instructors are nominated by FWP staff members involved with the program, including local game wardens. Hunter education is required for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, wanting to purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Bowhunter education is required for all first time bowhunters to hunt archery-specific seasons. Both classes are offered free of charge. For more information on hunter and bowhunter education in Montana, including upcoming courses, please visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education . If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/volunteer-instructors . 5 Year Bowhunter Education Randy Mesce Jason Olson Rick Trefny Franklin Wilkinson 10 Year Bowhunter Education Eldo Fosness Douglas Whitney 20 Year Bowhunter Education William Molina 30 Year Bowhunter Education James Knight 5 Year Hunter Education Kurt Lang Lane Longmire Randy Mesce Jason Olson Joe Veches Franklin Wilkinson Matt Wipf 10 Year Hunter Education William Molina 15 Year Hunter Education Daryl Bergerson Jay Forseth Justin Paugh Alan Ronneberg 20 Year Hunter Education Carrie Klempel Brian Thorson, Jr. 25 Year Hunter Education Peter Knapp 30 Year Hunter Education Frank Ewalt Rick Waltner Carl Zabrocki 35 Year Hunter Education Terry Brumfield 40 Year Hunter Education William Sauers