Winchester Ammunition has presented its highest national award for volunteer hunter education to the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) longest-serving volunteer instructor, Alvin "Al" Pecchenino. Pecchenino was chosen from nominees nationwide and presented with the 2005 Winchester Volunteer Hunter Education Association Instructor of the Year Award during a ceremony at the company's headquarters. He started as a volunteer instructor in 1954, the program's first year in existence, and was also named California's Hunter Education Instructor of the Year in 2005.

"We're very proud to see Al receive such an amazing honor for his venerable service," said DFG Capt. Roy Griffith. "We don't have a record of the very first certified volunteer hunter education instructor, but there isn't any question about who became the second: Al Pecchenino. Generations of California hunters are indebted to his leadership and training."

Pecchenino's commitment to educating Californians in proper hunting safety and techniques began during the state's enormous growth during the post-World War II era. An avid hunter and angler, he received certification as DFG's second instructor for the then-new Hunter Education Program. During Pecchenino's 52 years as an instructor, he has taught more than 260 classes, spent more than 2,000 hours volunteering, and passed along the hunting heritage to more than 8,000 students.

DFG has certified 3379 volunteer hunter education instructors to date, and currently 829 are actively teaching.

"The goal of the program is to prevent accidents and promote safe hunting through education, and also to pass on the tradition to the next generation," Griffith said. "But Al's done even more than that. Recently, a gentleman in Lodi needed proof of having taken a hunter education course prior to going pig hunting in Hawaii. He couldn't locate his original certificate but he had taken the class from Al in 1958. After making a few phone calls he reached Al, who sent him a duplicate certificate from copies he had on record since he started teaching."

Pecchenino is a tool and die designer for Valley Industries where he has worked for over 37 years. He lives in Lodi with his wife Marsha.