Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors. A great information source for members and non-members alike. We teach Alabama Hunter Education.
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Alabama Hunter Education Association Past Board Members
Board Members Also Serve As District Directors

duwainbrrundage JerryBrown

DuWain Brundage (Left)

Jerry Brown (Right)

barryhaganBarry Hagan District 2 Representative

I was born and raised in Alexander City, Alabama . My father was a Dentist and my Mother a Teacher and both were Auburn Grads. As a child I participated in all three levels of boy scouts. And loved the outdoors. In the summers we lived at our lake cottage on Lake Martin enjoying skiing , fishing, and hanging out with friends.
   I became a certified scuba diver ( YMCA,NAUI, & PADI ) at the age of 15. I began hunting at the early age of nine and to this day it’s a sport I very much enjoy. I attended Benjamin Russell High School and upon graduation attended the University of Alabama and also became a member of PHI KAPPA PHI fraternity. My wife ( Sherry ) and I have been married for twenty-three years.
  We have six children and thirteen grandchildren. I own Insulation Specialist performing industrial and commercial insulation since 1985. In 2000, I began work at Sylacauga Marine & ATV where I’m currently employed as Parts and Warranty Administrator.
I started Hunter Education in 2006, through the help of Jerry Fincher and Stuart Goldsby becoming a volunteer instructor and eventually a certified instructor for AHEA. I enjoy working with a dedicated group of instructors that are very committed to the whole purpose of AHEA and look forward to working with them in the future.

Terry Love District 4 Representative

My father started me shooting in 1957 at the old age of four with a Remington 22 semi-auto rifle. Then progressed to rabbits and then deerterrylove by the age of eight using a single shot .410 gauge Stevens shotgun. His love for me and the outdoors helped direct me to work in Yellowstone Park for several summers during school at Samford University and Auburn University where I studied and graduated in Forest Management.
After working many years as a Procurement Forester the decision was made to work for myself at Forestry Consultants, Inc. in Opelika, Alabama. There we work for private landowners to assist them with their forest management programs.
My instructing in Hunter Education started in 1988. With the Hunter Education Program I am able to teach our youth the joy and responsibility of managing our natural resources. Being a Certified Instructor in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, I have been able to enjoy the great educational programs available to our youth. Hopefully some of you will decide to learn about the importance of managing our natural resources so that our future generations can enjoy the true beauty of wildlife.
My wife, Lisa Love, accompanies me on almost every outdoor experience – no matter where I hunt or fish. I challenge you to include your family in all your experiences.

David Hartin, District 3 Representative

David hails from Tuscaloosa. When he isn’t working with scouts he is employed by the City of Tuscaloosa as the Director, Emergency Management.

David K. Hartin , is currently Director of District 3. He is a life member of the AHEA, the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, American Legion and the Transportation Regimental Association. He is a NRA International: Certified Home Firearms Safety, Certified Muzzleloading Rife, Certified Pistol, Personal Protection, Certified Rifle, Certified Shotgun, Range Safety Officer and Police Firearms Instructor. He is certified as a bow instructor with National Field Archery Association. David is currently Camp School Certified by the Boy Scouts of America as a Shooting Sports Director. In 2003 he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Colonel. In February 2005 he retired from the Tuscaloosa Police Department as a Captain. For over 19 years he served as the department Public Information Officer. He was the Law Enforcement Coordinator that established Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers, Inc. where today he serves as a member of the board of directors. David became a Alabama Hunter Safety certified instructor in 1984 when he was a Sergeant assigned to the Crime Prevention Bureau.

David is very active in working with the Black Warrior Council, Boy Scouts of America. Currently he serves on the Council Camping Committee. He is a committee member for Crew 100, Law Enforcement Post 911 (Tuscaloosa Police Department), Committee Chair of Troop 43 and Roundtable Commissioner for Choctaw District.


 

►Maron McConnell, District 4 Representative
        Maron McConnell is a retired lineman and a retired Marine!

Maron D. McConnell
3446 North Central Avenue
Kellyton, AL 35089
Phone 256-234-5182

Born 8-17-1941 in Clay county.
1960 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School in Alex City, AL.
Served with the US Marine Corps from September 1961 to January 1966.
Retired from Alabama Power in September 2003 with 38 years of service as a lineman.


 

►Jim O’Dillon, District 5 Representative
         Jim teaches Hunter Education in Mobile and Baldwin Counties with Tony Landenwich.

I am a native of Macon, GA, am 52 years old, and been hunting for exactly 30 years. I like to hunt deer, squirrel, wild hogs, dove, and quail, usually with the company of my two teenage daughters. I taught Hunter Education in Ooltewah, TN for eight years prior to moving to Mobile in 2001. I’ve helped teach Hunter Education with Tony Landenwich a couple of times over in Spanish Fort since my arrival in Alabama. I currently serve as one of the associate pastors at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile. I enjoy spending time with my wife, our two daughters, and traveling.
Blessings,
Jim O’Dillon
Minister of Discipleship
Spring Hill Baptist Church


 

► Hal Swartz District 1 Representative

Hal Swartz
26897 Pine Drive
Athens, AL 35613
256-232-4760
hal_swartz@yahoo.com

Born in Kankakee, Il., I later moved to Alabama, married, and attended John C. Calhoun college receiving an AAS degree in criminal justice.

I later attended the University of Alabama receiving my BS dgree in criminal justice and also served as a police officer.

I became a Boy Scout in 1959 and continued till 1961.Today I work actively with the Boy Scouts of America teaching hunter education classes and helping with other various events.

From 1969 – 1973, I served in the US military as a police sargent.

I later became a hunter education instructor in 1984 and also became a hunter education instructor trainer. Today I’m very active in teaching hunter education throughout Alabama.

I enjoy the outdoors, hunting, shooting, and promoting hunter safety.


Lee Brown District 3 Representative

LeeBrownLee Brown
11580 Co. Rd. 50
Clanton, Al 35045
205-688-5039
leebrown755@centurytel.net


I have always enjoyed
being in the outdoors and cannot remember a time in my life that hunting and shooting have not been a part of it.
I was born in Chilton County and have lived here all my life.  I have spent many weekends in Tallapoosa County hunting on family property and enjoying the outdoors.  I have been the Auto Technology Instructor at the LeCroy Career Technical since 2002.  I enjoy working with kids and helping them find their place in the career field.
My Wife (Trudy) and I became hunter education instructors in 1997 and we have been very active
ever since.  We teach classes in Chilton, Tallapoosa, and Coosa counties.  We also help with different shooting events across the state.  The reason I became a hunter education instructor was to share my love for hunting, the outdoors, and shooting sports.  I believe the more people I safely get involved in hunting and shooting the more likely we will able to enjoy it.  We all know our hunting and shooting sports are under attack and we must do what ever it takes to help pass this privilege along to others.

 

► Hal Swartz District 1 RepresentativeHal Swartz
26897 Pine Drive
Athens, AL 35613
256-232-4760
hal_swartz@yahoo.com

Born in Kankakee, Il., I later moved to Alabama, married, and attended John C. Calhoun college receiving an AAS degree in criminal justice.

I later attended the University of Alabama receiving my BS dgree in criminal justice and also served as a police officer.

I became a Boy Scout in 1959 and continued till 1961.Today I work actively with the Boy Scouts of America teaching hunter education classes and helping with other various events.

From 1969 – 1973, I served in the US military as a police sargent.

I later became a hunter education instructor in 1984 and also became a hunter education instructor trainer. Today I’m very active in teaching hunter education throughout Alabama.

I enjoy the outdoors, hunting, shooting, and promoting hunter safety.

 

►Jerry R. Riley, District 6 Representative
         Jerry has been involved in the Alabama Hunter Education Safety program for more than 10 years…

jerryrileyJerry is the Primary Instructor for the Alabama Hunter Education Safety Course for Fort Rucker and Dale County.  In addition, Jerry is a Train-the-Trainer for the Alabama Hunter Education Safety Instructor Course. He is a member of the Fort Rucker Outdoor Advisory Panel, serving as the Hunter Education member. Jerry is retired from Civil Service and the U.S. Army.  He resides in Dothan, Alabama with his wife, Jackie.  Jerry enjoys hunting, fishing and promoting hunting and hunter safety.  Jerry is a member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

►Harry D. Knight, Director, District 1HarryDKnight

Harry Knight grew up hunting and fishing in IN w/ annual fishing trips to Canada. At seven years old, I harvested my first animal, a rabbit.

My hunter education class in IN was one of the first ever offered. My card number is 111.

My education; I have a degree in biology w/ emphasis on aquatics. I have always worked in the aquatic field; either hatcheries, lake work or aquaculture design.

Currently, I enjoy bird hunting all types, rabbit and deer. My next endeavor is to learn to trap coyotes.

 

 

PamelaRJackson► Pamela R. Jackson, Director, District 2Hello, my name is Pam Jackson and I am serving as the District 2 AHEA representative. I am from Oxford Alabama and have lived here my whole life. I have been a Hunter Education Instructor since 1990. I am an avid hunter, outdoor woman and love the shooting sports. I am very thankful for a husband who thought enough to help me learn how to shoot and hunt. It takes a lot of patience and money (as you have to have 2 of everything) in trying to teach your wife, but he has been dedicated to helping me be the best I can. In 2012, I had rotator cuff repair surgery and thought my hunting season was over, but when he saw how dejected I was that I could not hunt he helped me find another way to do it. He bought me a crossbow and hunted with me in the shooting house as I could not cock it. But, with his help, I was able to harvest two deer that year with the crossbow and spend time in Gods great outdoors. It was a learning curve for us both, but as much as I loved to bow hunt, we found a way for me to continue hunting and get back to the joys of archery hunting. I am very thankful for a man that encourages me with my outdoor endeavors!

I am a nursing instructor for a local community college and was an ICU nurse at a local hospital prior to getting into teaching. I am a graduate of Gadsden State Community College and the University of Alabama Huntsville where I obtained a Masters degree in Nursing in 2005. I have been a nurse for 37 plus years and it is a privilege to teach nursing.

In addition to my career, one of my favorite pastimes is spending time with my family especially the Grands. I now have 6 and enjoy teaching them about the outdoors. We love to take them camping, fishing, the shooting range for the older ones and spending time with them at the hunting cabin. It is a great experience to watch them catch their first fish, help with planting the food plots and shoot the bow for the first time.

My husband and I were the 2004 recipients of the Hunter Education Instructor of the Year award presented by the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Becoming a hunter education instructor just seemed a natural progression for me as my love for hunting and my nursing meshed together to encourage safe practices in the field regarding gun safety, as well as, tree stand safety and even just being prepared for whatever circumstances you may be faced with. What I have found over the years is that many people don’t take the time to understand the potential problems that can occur while afield. I feel, it is our job to help them understand this and prevent as many problems as possible.

I would like to work with the instructors in District 2 so that we can have a strong and dedicated group of Instructors working together to get out our message of safe, responsible and ethical hunting. We have been strong in the past and I know we can be better than the last few years. Please let me know if you have needs that I can help with. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

Stephen E. Wells, Jr., Director, District 3   

StephenEWellsI was born and raised in Florida. I lived with my Uncle and Aunt and was introduced to the outdoors early. We made our living mostly off the land; between the orange groves and Mother Nature. Safety was always an issue in our family. Hunting, fishing and gathering was a way of life and if we got hurt we were in big trouble. I grew up with mumps, whooping cough, chicken pots, measles, diphtheria and most anything going around. I had my Grandmother to get me well with anything she had on hand. She did an excellent job, I think.

My Aunt started me hunting with a 20 gauge Steven Fox double barrel. I just passed it on to my oldest grandson. I moved on up to a 12 gauge Winchester Model 12 and still enjoy shooting it. We didn’t hunt much with anything but shotguns at home. I didn’t begin to hunt with a rifle until I got stationed with the US Air Force in Louisiana. At that time I was introduced to Mauser Model 94 caliber 308 Winchester. I worked on this Mauser for 2 years to get it to look the way I wanted and then found out the barrel was just not accurate over a 100 yards, but in Louisiana that was okay. It brought home the meat. I don’t hunt much anymore, but I shoot a lot at the range. I am a member of the range training committee, a range safety officer and NRA certified instructor.

I was employed by Southern Company Services as a Design Lead on New Generation Projects and the chair of the corporate safety committee until I retired. Now I was going to have a lot of time on my hands being retired, but between the range training committee, hunter education, engineering society, work around the home and grandchildren, I am staying pretty busy.

I graduated from Titusville High School. I served in the United States Air Force for 8 years and a short time in the Alabama National Guard. I worked for Rust Engineering Company in the Instruments & Controls Department. I attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

My experience with the Alabama Hunter Education started through the range training committee. I have been able to enjoy teaching firearm operation and safety at the range and seeing individual smiles upon just being comfortable handling firearms. Hunter education was just the spot for me to continue my efforts trying to get people to fully enjoy shooting, the great outdoors and the beauty of nature.

Leisha Martin, Director, District 4   

LeishaMartinBorn and raised in a small rural town of Satsuma, Louisiana, I am now a happy resident of Honoraville, Alabama for the past 7 years. My love for the outdoors and hunting has opened many doors for me, which include getting certified as a Hunter Ed instructor in 2008. I enjoy volunteering at the Becoming an Outdoor Woman workshops twice a year, working the Archery in the Schools state tournament and any other opportunities that I can fit into my busy schedule of raising my 2 grandsons.Ayden and Michael are 9 and 10. Mike, my husband of 33 years, and I have spent many hours teaching them to hunt and the tools of survival. I am an active member of Union Baptist Church and I also spend lots of time in the kitchen cooking for family and friends. Our hunting adventures have included elk in Colorado, mountain lion in Idaho and bear in Montana which has turned our home into a museum. My children and grandchildren say I’m not a ‘normal’ woman, thus the nickname I have acquired as ‘non-typical’. I can live with that.

►Carl Pennington, Director, District 5  

I was born July 1957 in Vernon, AL and currently live in Chatom.

In 1979, I received a BS Degree in Agricultural & Extension Education from Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS.CarlPennington

Enlisted US Army, January 1979 through June 1982; Commissioned OCS June 1982 with 28 years of service and retired at rank of Lieutenant Colonel in July 2010 with over 31 years of total service. Decorations, Service Medals and Badges include: Army Commendation Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with Silver Hourglass Device; Army Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Medal; Veterans Service Medal of Alabama; Faithful Service Medal, with one Silver Saint Andrews Cross; Active Duty Basic Training Medal.

I retired on January 3, 2013, as Resource Conservationist with the USDA-NRCS, Grove Hill, AL.

I was elected to serve as the Director, District 3 in January 2013.

► Conner Crumley, Director, District 2 

Calhoun County 

Conner CrumleyD2Conner Crumley of Oxford Alabama’s faded student card reads January 15, 1984 and he took the instructor course from James Thornhill not long after. Since then he has gone on to graduate hundreds of greatful students.
Lost to history, probably the early 90’s he was named Instructor of the Year for Alabama.  In 2002 he was Hunter Instructor for the Quarter for the southeastern region of the United States by the IHEA.

Today he describes himself as just a mean old man.

For several years, early on, Conner unofficially coordinated the District 2 Hunter Education effort. In this respect not much has changed, as he’s still the goto guy for the area.
Another interesting thing is that in the 80’s when he was in the Jaycees he made the pilgrimage to Montgomery with others to participate in a mock legislature. He was one of the sponsors of a bill to make Hunter Education mandatory in Alabama. The bill passed, but since it was only a mock legislature it wasn’t official. The results were passed along, however, to the real legislature.

After the Hunter Safety program became mandatory he taught a class for the local Conservation officers so that they could go on to get certified to teach.
Also while a Jaycee, about the same time he became an Alabama Volunteer Hunter Safety teacher he served one year as the coordinator and the next as assistant coordinator for the prestigious Jaycee Shooting Education program for Alabama.

Crumley’s favorite teaching station, as all who have met him at field day events will tell you was tree stand safety. Today, with traditional classes back in fashion, he’s back behind the table teaching it all.

Hunter safety instruction has been a very important aspect of Crumley’s life and he has spent many a pleasant hour doing his part to teach Alabama’s youth how to stay safe.

He’s still the goto guy when you need something done as those who know him will testify.