DNR Honors Eaton County Volunteer’s More Than 40 Years of Service

February 23, 2026
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In a world where government bureaucracies often clash with Second Amendment values, it's refreshing to spotlight unsung heroes like Jane Gordon, whose four-decade dedication to Michigan's DNR hunter safety programs embodies the self-reliant spirit of responsible gun ownership. Recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for over 40 years as a volunteer instructor—and a former conservation officer herself—Gordon has empowered more than 300 women through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman initiative while leading traditional hunter safety classes in Montmorency County. This isn't just volunteerism; it's a masterclass in grassroots education that prioritizes safety, marksmanship, and ethical hunting, core tenets of the 2A ethos that keep firearms in the hands of competent, law-abiding citizens rather than bureaucrats. What makes Gordon's story a beacon for the pro-2A community is its ripple effect on policy and culture. Hunter safety courses like hers are mandated in Michigan for anyone born after 1979 to buy a hunting license, directly tying firearm proficiency to real-world access to the woods—countering urban narratives that paint gun owners as reckless. By focusing on women, Gordon dismantles outdated stereotypes, fostering a new generation of armed huntresses who vote, advocate, and defend their rights. In an era of escalating anti-gun legislation, her longevity underscores a vital truth: true safety comes from trained individuals, not more regulations. The 2A community should celebrate and replicate this model, volunteering locally to build unassailable defenses against those who seek to restrict our hunting heritage and self-defense rights. The implications extend further: as states like Michigan grapple with carry laws and public land access, volunteers like Gordon fortify the bridge between DNR oversight and individual liberty. Her service proves that when patriots step up, government programs can amplify rather than undermine 2A principles—training safer shooters means fewer excuses for crackdowns. Firearms enthusiasts, take note: channel your passion into these programs, and we'll not only honor legacies like Gordon's but secure them for the next 40 years.

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In a world where government bureaucracies often clash with Second Amendment values, it’s refreshing to spotlight unsung heroes like Jane Gordon, whose four-decade dedication to Michigan’s DNR hunter safety programs embodies the self-reliant spirit of responsible gun ownership. Recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for over 40 years as a volunteer instructor—and a former conservation officer herself—Gordon has empowered more than 300 women through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman initiative while leading traditional hunter safety classes in Montmorency County. This isn’t just volunteerism; it’s a masterclass in grassroots education that prioritizes safety, marksmanship, and ethical hunting, core tenets of the 2A ethos that keep firearms in the hands of competent, law-abiding citizens rather than bureaucrats.

What makes Gordon’s story a beacon for the pro-2A community is its ripple effect on policy and culture. Hunter safety courses like hers are mandated in Michigan for anyone born after 1979 to buy a hunting license, directly tying firearm proficiency to real-world access to the woods—countering urban narratives that paint gun owners as reckless. By focusing on women, Gordon dismantles outdated stereotypes, fostering a new generation of armed huntresses who vote, advocate, and defend their rights. In an era of escalating anti-gun legislation, her longevity underscores a vital truth: true safety comes from trained individuals, not more regulations. The 2A community should celebrate and replicate this model, volunteering locally to build unassailable defenses against those who seek to restrict our hunting heritage and self-defense rights.

The implications extend further: as states like Michigan grapple with carry laws and public land access, volunteers like Gordon fortify the bridge between DNR oversight and individual liberty. Her service proves that when patriots step up, government programs can amplify rather than undermine 2A principles—training safer shooters means fewer excuses for crackdowns. Firearms enthusiasts, take note: channel your passion into these programs, and we’ll not only honor legacies like Gordon’s but secure them for the next 40 years.

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