Two Inducted into 2013 Tennessee Hunter Education Hall of Fame
NASHVILLE --- Two long-time contributors are the latest persons to be inducted into the Tennessee Hunter Education Hall of Fame. Soddy-Daisy resident Joe Shadwick and Billy Long of Knoxville were announced as this year’s honorees at the 39th Annual Hunter Education Banquet at Henry Horton State Park hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Mr. Shadwick received his award at the banquet. Mr. Long was unable to attend the banquet due to illness, but received his award during a presentation at a recent meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Mr. Shadwick has been a part of the Hunter Education Program since 1981. A tragic accident involving a student at the school in which he was teaching helped spur him to be a part of the program. An 8-year old boy was playing with a friend when they found a pistol in the house and was accidentally shot and killed.
The accident made Mr. Shadwick want to help teach children about gun safety to avoid this type of accident in the future. Along with teaching classes, he was at the time able to encourage his school principal to allow him to install a shooting range in the basement of the Eastman Elementary School. Mr. Shadwick is credited with certifying students into the thousands with his efforts with the program.
Mr. Long has been active in youth/junior shooting programs in Knox County and upper East Tennessee for more than 40 years. As an avid hunter, shooter and a chief instructor for youth programs in the Volunteer Rifle and Pistol Club, he helped establish the original state hunter education programs in Knoxville.
He assisted with the first Young Hunters Safety Clinic class held in the Knoxville area in 1973. He was certified as a volunteer in the Tennessee Hunter and Firearms Safety Program shortly after. He volunteered with the annual class through 1998.
Once the TWRA started managing the John Sevier Range in Knox County in 1999, the annual class format was changed to bi-monthly classes and he has helped with 80 weekly classes and 65 CD-Online field days. He has helped certify almost 12,500 students over his years as an instructor. He holds certification as a National Rifle Association Certified Pistol/Rifle/Shotgun Instructor and as a range safety officer.
Mr. Long is also involved in other outreach programs. He annually assists with the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program by serving as an instructor at the Crossville and Knoxville workshops. He is a TWRA Boating Education Monitor and member of the U.S, Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Photo Captions:
Joe Shadwick was presented a framed print among his induction into the Tennessee Hunter Education Hall of Fame. His son, William, accompanied him to the banquet. He was introduced by TWRA Region III Hunter Education Coordinator Matt Clarey. Statewide Hunter Education Coordinator Randy Huskey (far right) is also pictured.
Billy Long received his framed print during the August meeting of the TFWC. He is pictured with TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter (left) and TWRA Region IV Hunter Education Coordinator Tommy Whitehead.
---TWRA---