Hunter Education News

Sportsman Channel Nets DNR Hunter Ed Honors

Madison, Wis. – Sportsman Channel employees who complete hunter’s education courses receive special commendations from the company under the program recently honored with a Department of Natural Resources award. DNR Hunter Education Administrator Tim Lawhern presented Chairman C. Michael Cooley, founder of Wisconsin-based television network, with the agency’s Significant Support and Contribution Award for the company’s dedicated policies related to the Wisconsin Hunter Education Program mission. “This recognition honors those organizations and companies going above and beyond educating the public about Wisconsin’s outdoors traditions,” Lawhern said of the Wisconsin-shaped glass award. “The Sportsman Channel’s policies demonstrate business leadership appreciated by all of Wisconsin.” Under the policy implemented by Cooley, Sportsman Channel management encourages all employees to take basic hunter education and earn their hunter’s safety certification for their respective state. The company, based in New Berlin, Wis., also has offices in Colorado, New York, George and Arizona. Upon graduation, the company awards a special framed certificate recognizing their accomplishment. To date, more than 12 Sportsman Channel employees have earned their certificates. “We are pleased to receive this high honor from the Wisconsin DNR and hope it spurs other companies to do the same,” Cooley said. “I am proud of our Company and most importantly of our employees for taking on this initiative.” Cooley, who has a history of promoting hunter education, said when he started the network he focused on hiring skilled personnel and realized not all had the same outdoor experience as other outdoor enthusiasts. Cooley determined the best way to introduce his employees to the outdoors was to complete a hunter education course, and then try their new skills on a range. “There is an education aspect to the course, but it is also a confidence booster as the graduate feels safer handling and speaking about firearms,” Cooley said. Maura Fried of the Sportsman’s New York office said she appreciated learning more about firearms “There were so many aspects of safety, which make sense, but I’d never otherwise know were covered – how to handle, pass, show how it is unloaded and more. Knowing that is the way that all ethical hunters are trained made a big difference to me, and does help me explain it to others.” Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel provides hunting, shooting and fishing programming every day, all day. It was acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2007. For more information, visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com .