We are at the close of another busy and successful year of safety training events. So many of you, our dedicated volunteers, have worked hard to provide DNR safety training opportunities to youth in your communities.
Your efforts and the service you provide make a significant impact in ensuring our hunting and recreation activities are safe, ethical and responsible. Not only do you provide a service to individuals in your community, you are also mentoring future generations who will continue the conservation message and pass it on. Your volunteer work is key to the future of Minnesota's rich natural resources.
And as the winter season is upon us, we also want to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to working with all of you in 2016!
As you know, we are now offering online courses for the Snowmobile and ATV/OHM safety training programs, for both youth and adults. There are two different vendors we have contracted with to provide the online portion of the training. The process for you as instructors will be the same as it was with the CD course. Just remember, the Voucher will look different depending on which online course the student completed.
We want you to know that, at this time, you may continue accepting completion paperwork from students who have completed the Snowmobile CD for this season.
As always, if you have any questions or issues regarding this, please give us a call.
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Throttle Blocks/Stops are Mandatory!
The snowmobile must have a restricted throttle/speed limiter to ensure the maximum speed is only 10 MPH. A simple proven way to do this is to use a hose clamp on the handlebar behind the throttle to restrict its travel. Many of the ‘turnkey’ style hose clamp throttle blocks have been sent out with instructor supplies. If you need one or more please contact us!
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Students that take the online Snowmobile Course complete a 10-question quiz after each chapter and are given a 50-question exam at the completion of the course.
The 15-question Review/Quiz is sent with your class supplies and is to be used as part of your review process during your classroom review segment of your hands-on class. The quiz will help you determine how well the student understands the information they learned from the online course. The Quiz is NOT a pass/fail; use as a Review only.
Brenda Mrosla has recently been hired in the Safety Training Office as our Education Materials Specialist. She works in our warehouse at Camp Ripley and ensures your safety training classes are posted on the DNR website as well as shipping your class supplies to you - and so much more! She is a wonderful addition to our team!
Welcome, Brenda!
We are currently scheduling Instructor Forums for early 2016. Watch the mail and email for a schedule of Forums in your area.
We encourage you to attend a forum for updates, discussion and feedback from you, as well as interact and share ideas among instructors in your area.
We all know of an instructor who goes the extra mile to deliver a top-notch safety program to the youth in their area. It’s time once again to consider those instructors who go above and beyond, and nominate them for instructor of the year for 2015. You will find downloadable nomination forms online at the Volunteer Instructor webpage: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/instructors/index.html in the ‘Announcements’ section.
Nominations for both the 2015 ATV Volunteer Instructor of the Year as well as the 2015 Volunteer Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year are due January 12, 2016.
2015 Revision of Firearms Safety Classroom PowerPoint
A revised PowerPoint of the Firearms Safety Classroom Presentation is now available. It is contained on a USB flash drive, and if you would like one to use in your classroom, please send an email to enforcement.education@state.mn.us; or, you may request one to be shipped with your firearms safety class supplies for 2016.
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Range Safety Officer Training
Saturday, February 6, 2016
9 AM - 6 PM, Richfield, MN
There are 12 spots available for this training, so if you are interested, don't delay. The deadline for registration is Wed., January 6. You must pre-register and pay a fee to attend this course. For more information on the fee and to register, go to the Minnesota Volunteer Safety Instructors Association website at www.mvsia.org.
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The DNR has recently graduated 13 conservation officers after 12
weeks of intensive training. The officers are currently spending their
time in field training with experienced conservation officers to gain
on-the-job training for natural resources management and law enforcement-related
activities before receiving their initial field stations.
Congratulations all!
 L to R: Front Row: Philip Mohs, Chelsey Collette, Leah Weyandt, Jamie VanThuyne, Trent Seamans. Back Row: Shane Vernier, Dustin Miller, Michael Krauel, Eric Sullivan, Andrew Dirks, Jeremy Henke, Kyle Quittschreiber, Luke Gutzwiller
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Ken Soring, Director of the Enforcement Division since 2013, has retired as of December 1, 2015, after more than 35 years of service.
Soring's career accomplishments before his director duties include serving as a conservation officer, district supervisor and enforcement manager.
He recalls field work as the most enjoyable aspect of his career, and feels privileged to have worked with some of the most dedicated resource professionals in the world.
We wish Ken well in his future endeavors.
Congratulations and Happy Trails!
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