Bigfork’s Dan Atkinson honored for 35 years of hunter education instruction

For 35 years, Dan Atkinson of Bigfork has been quietly showing up for the next generation of hunters — teaching firearm safety, responsibility and respect for the outdoors. But when his name was called at a recent Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks luncheon in Kalispell, he was caught completely off guard.

“I do stuff for people, I don’t get awards,” Atkinson said. “It was a great feeling — it surprised me very much.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recognized Atkinson this March for his three and a half decades of service as a volunteer instructor in the state’s Hunter Education program. In Northwest Montana alone, more than 200 instructors teach nearly 1,000 students each year, and Atkinson has been a steady presence in that effort for more than a generation.

For Atkinson, teaching hunter education isn’t just about checking boxes or filling out certificates. It’s about connecting with people — especially young people — and making sure they understand not only how to handle a firearm, but also the gravity of that responsibility.

“I’m still an educator,” he said. “I work out of Houston teaching military law enforcement about firearms. I also work with Laser Shot — we build shooting simulators, put them in homes or training centers, and teach people how to use them safely.”

Though he lives in Bigfork, Atkinson’s teaching extends far beyond the classroom or range. He says one of the most rewarding parts of his work is when someone tells him, even years later, that what he taught them made a difference.

“If you called me 10 years from now and said, ‘Dan, what you taught me saved my life,’ that’s everything,” he said. “That’s why I do it.”

Atkinson’s background is steeped in service. A military veteran who survived being shot 22 times, he continues to give back to his community however he can. Whether it's subbing at his grandkids’ schools or teaching firearm safety classes to women, Atkinson has made it his mission to educate — not lecture — those who want to learn.

“I’ve taught everything — college, grade school. When I was in the hospital in Japan, with my leg and stomach blown up, I just kept taking college courses,” he said. “People want to learn. You just have to sit down with them and talk. Don’t lecture them — talk to them.”

One of Atkinson’s passions is making sure women feel confident and informed when it comes to firearms. He teaches women-only classes, encouraging them to find the right firearm for them, not the one their husband picks out.

With decades of experience, Atkinson has built a reputation as someone who connects with his students, teaches practical safety, and encourages independent thinking. That’s why the award from Montana FWP, while unexpected, was so well deserved.

“I didn’t even know about it until I was there,” Atkinson recalled. “Someone said, ‘Hey Dan, I got your award,’ and I sat down. Then they called my name — it surprised me.”

Though he may not seek recognition, it’s clear that Atkinson has made a lasting impact on Montana’s hunting community.