News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick's 2017 Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Instructors of the Year have been chosen. Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet presented four International Hunter Education Association prints at today’s awards ceremony at the Hugh John Fleming Forestry Complex in Fredericton.

“The courses these four volunteers taught over the years have laid a solid foundation for generations of safe and responsible hunters in New Brunswick,” said Doucet. “I applaud these instructors for their dedication to hunter education.”

The instructors were chosen on the recommendation of district co-ordinators for each of the four regions based on dedication, subject matter expertise and teaching ability.

Sylvie Audet, region 1 (Bathurst), has taught 598 students during 29 courses in Firearms Safety and Hunter Education since earning her instructor certification in 2009.

Terry Richards, region 2 (Miramichi), has taught 2,122 students during 101 courses in Firearms Safety and Hunter Education since earning his instructor certification in 1994.

Wayne Thompson, region 3 (Fredericton), has taught more than 570 students during 31 courses in Firearms Safety and Hunter Education since earning his instructor certification in 2005.

Nicole Nadeau, region 4 (Edmundston), has taught 668 students during 30 courses in Challenge Firearms Safety and Firearms Safety/Hunter Education since earning her instructor certification in 2010.

Almost 4,000 students have benefited from these instructors’ expertise and commitment to the Conservation Education Program.

New Brunswick has one of the lowest hunting accident rates in North America due in part to the work of hunter education instructors. Last year, 210 courses were offered, with 4,124 students participating in the program.

Information on firearm safety and hunter education is available online.

Testing takes place at local offices of the Department of Energy and Resource Development.