West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Sportsmen Of The Year

The DNR honors two men with their highest award.

October 3, 2007
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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If you spend much time hunting or fishing in west virginia, you owe a big thanks to two guys you may never have met....The 2007 sportsmen of the year.

Joe crowder is the president of the kanwha valley chapter of trout unlimited. Randy banear has helped encourage disabled hunters across the state and has been an inspiration to all of us. Two humble men who make the state a better place.

Randy Benear/2007 Sportsman of the Year says:
"Very humbled. I don't do the things I do for awards, I do it because I love doing it.

Joe Crowder/2007 Sportsman of the Year
"I'm grateful to the DNR for recognizing me for this. I've worked with them a long time, the cold water fisheries, Mike Shingleton. I think Mike should be the one to get this because any time I get in trouble, I call Mike."

Joe has worked with mike and his team at the trout hatchery a lot. Perhaps one of his proudest moments came this summer when he put the 1 millionth finglering trout in the elk river. Randy? You can catch him just about anywhere you can take a deer rifle or a bow. He hopes being so visable is an inspiration.

Randy Benear/2007 Sportsman of the Year says:
"For other folks to see someone in a wheelchair volunteering, it's an encouragement to other folks."

Joe Crowder/2007 Sportsman of the Year
"I have grandchildren and they're gonna have to have a place to fish."

Thanks to these two fantastic guys, more people are volunteering and there are a lot more trout to catch these days. Both send a message to all of you.

Joe Crowder/2007 Sportsman of the Year
"My grandad raised me and he had an old addage, he told me to always remember which side your bread is buttered on and the people that hunt and fish in WV need to take that into consideration."

Randy Benear/2007 Sportsman of the Year says:
"Get outside, get off the couch, get off the video games, go outside and see what God's created and be a part of it."

Joe crowder and randy benear, your 2007 sportsmen of the year. Congratulations guys, i sure appreciate you. For west virginia wildlife, i'm patrick mcmurtry, eyewitness news.