                                                  2016  Bill and Beulah Talkington

Bill and Beulah Talkington from New Martinsville, were nominated as a TEAM and as individuals for their dedication and commitment to the West Virginia Hunter Education program. They have taught Hunter Safety since 1968 and for over 41 years in New Martinsville, Wetzel County, WV offering both spring and fall classes, making nearly 4000 student hunters safer in the woods and range. Both as team leaders, have conducted 95 classes. Beulah, with 9,274 hours of instruction and Bill with 8,571 hours. Being life members of the NRA, they conducted air rifle classes for over twelve consecutive years and developed Air Rifle Teams that had national winners of the WV Air Rifle Teams at West Virginia University. One of their students was selected to Ohio State University Rifle team. Bill also, as an extension of their gun shop ran a trap range, teaching shooters how to be their best. Beulah taught BB Gun safety classes for several years for the are Cub Scout Camps. Bill has been a former WVHEA State Volunteer Instructor of the Year. He has set the standards for young hunters and shooters for his accolades in competition shooting for the NRA in all aspects of shooting; Muzzleloader, Rifle, Rimfire and Shotguns. They have both recruited many new instructors through their own team and encouraging others by their commitment to the Hunter safety Program. Bill has been the firearms dealer for the Lewis-Wetzel chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for over 20 years and the firearms dealer for the area MOOSE Lodge. Bill was also inducted into the WV Wild turkey Hall of Fame for his work with youth. Bill and Beulah were teaching Hunter Safety before the WV DNR set-up official classes. These are only a few of the reasons they were nominated for the WVHEHOF.Bill Talkington: · Hall of Fame Amateur Trapshooting Association · NWTF member · NRA Life member Beulah Talkington: · State Recognition, WV Wildlife Federation · 4-H Shooting Sports, for work with youth 