Thursday, April 12, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Congratulates Missouri's One Millionth Certified Hunter
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt congratulated Samuel Enright on becoming Missouri's millionth student to receive certification through Missouri's Hunter Education program offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
"Having completed this program many years ago, I want to congratulate Samuel Enright on his successful completion of Missouri's Hunter Education program and on being the one-millionth student to complete this important safety course," Blunt said. "Hunting is a great Missouri tradition, and requiring sportsmen and women to complete a hunter safety course helps ensure hunting remains enjoyable and safe for generations to come."
Samuel Enright, 13 of Pacific, received his hunting certification from Four Rivers Career Center in Washington, missing just one question on the exam to score a 96 percent.
Beginning in 1988 Missouri required anyone born after Jan. 1, 1967 to successfully complete a mandatory hunter education course to qualify for purchasing firearms hunting permits. Before the training was introduced, Missouri averaged approximately 100 firearm hunting accidents a year. Today Missouri averages about 30 accidents per year.
Gov. Blunt completed the program in 1985 while in junior high school at Strafford, Missouri. For more information about Missouri's Hunter Education program visit www.missouriconservation.org.