The future of our hunting heritage is cultivated by the people willing to invest the time and energy into our youth. This is one of the many reasons why Redwood County Pheasants Forever chooses to support our area volunteer instructors like Jerry Ludwig.
Redwood Falls Man is Named DNR's 2023 Volunteer Firearms Safety Instructor of the Year
The Volunteer Firearm Safety Instructor of the Year award is given to one volunteer instructor each year. You must be nominated to be eligible to win the award.
For 2023, Conservation Officer Luke Gutzwiller, who was stationed in Redwood Falls prior to transferring to Montevideo, nominated Jerry Ludwig for the award. His nomination shared, in part, "To say Jerry is active in his community is an understatement." Among his many roles that support area youth, he volunteers by coaching 4-H shooting and high school trap teams, helps kids build wood duck and blue bird houses and he volunteers with the Redwood County Pheasants Forever chapter.
Jerry helps with many things in our chapter but, you guessed it, generally takes the lead on facilitating the youth activities at our annual banquet as well as other funding requests to support area youth.
Jerry was presented with the award along with gift certificate gifted by the Redwood Falls Sportsmen's Club, Mike Rassmussen and the Redwood County Pheasants Forever Chapter.
More Than 750 Students Certified
Jerry Ludwig has been a volunteer instructor with the MN DNR since the early 2000s and has certifeid more than 750 students in firearms safety. He's a veteran shooting sports enthusiast who actively recruits new instructors, a shooting coach and a volunteer who's espeically devoted to getting youth involved in outdoors.
There are over 4,000 volunteer instructors who teach DNR Firearm Safety courses all across the state of Minnesota. The Firearm Safety program started in 1955 and, since that time, over 1.3 million students have been certified through the program. Now, DNR Firearm Saftey Certificates are required to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota for anyone who was born after December 31, 1979. Youth age 11 and older can attend the course and receive their certificate upon successful completion of the course. Certificates become valid at the age of 12.
Proud Supporters
Redwood County Pheasants Forever is proud to support area MN DNR Firearm Safety courses as they get our youth to experience a bit of what we are so passionate about; the great outdoors.
Congratulations to our friend Jerry Ludwig and keep up the good work!
