Art Smith honored as top hunter-ed instructor

Instructor Art Smith of Mountain Home has been selected as the 2004 Southwest Region's Hunter Education Program, Instructor of the Year.

Art is one of seven instructor nominees to be recognized, statewide, at the region level. The names of all seven Regional instructors will be submitted to Idaho Fish & Game's Headquarters staff in Boise. One of the seven instructors will be chosen to represent Idaho on a national level at the International Hunter Education Association's annual conference. Only one instructor will be selected from all the state nominees and presented the national award by the Winchester Arms Co.

Born Oct. 19, 1925, in Twin Falls, Art served his country in World War II as an aviation gunner and radioman on dive and torpedo bombers. After the service he moved to Mountain Home and operated the Bey-Smith Mortuary and ambulance service and later became the Elmore County Coroner.

Smith began his volunteer career with the department in January 1997 after receiving training by the department to certify him as a Hunter Education Program instructor.

Over the next seven years Art helped organize, lead and/or assist 46 Hunter Education classes, training over 1,050 students from the Mountain Home area.

Art's volunteer time to the department is valued at close to $14,000 (the department uses the volunteer time to qualify for federal funding to support Idaho's Hunter Education Program).

More importantly, Art's passion for responsible hunting, (he credits his dad for getting him started hunting and fishing early in life) has enabled him to transfer to his students the importance of making wise choices, whether preparing to hunt, or field hunting.

According to Art, "A student with a good attitude and willingness to make right choices goes a long way in our classes, we can transfer our knowledge and skill to our students but without a willingness by the students to apply what they have learned means they most likely will not make responsible choices down the road."

That strikes home with Art, Elmore County's retired coroner.

"I have personally examined many individuals in my lifetime who have made bad choices and it cost them their lives. Hunting in Idaho is one of the safest forms of recreation we offer, and we want that record to continue, especially, if I have anything to do with it."

Art has also found time to work with the Mountain Home Police Department, day-care centers, Parochial schools and Head Start centers in Mountain Home and Hammett, delivering the National Rifle Association's firearm safety program in English and Spanish.

Art and his wife make sure each graduating student received a small survival kit they assemble consisting of Idaho Fish & Game's publication "Outsmart in the Outback," waterproof matches, fire starter, hand warmers and a space blanket.

Art and is wife, Lula, have lived in Mountain Home for 50 years. Art has served as president of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of Elmore Lodge #30 and a charter member of the Elmore County Rotary Club.

He is also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation.