Steve Merlo: Sportsman's Night to honor 2 locals
| Thursday, Oct 13 2011 10:34 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Oct 13 2011 10:35 PM
This year, the "Sportsman's Night" Committee has selected two individuals to receive their coveted "Man of the Year Award" (or in this case, Men of the Year) for their work in promoting outdoor shooting sports. The two local recipients, Daryl Amble and Jay Busby, have spent 22-years working together as team hunter-safety instructors in the popular Kern Shooting Sports organization.
Both men are dedicated to their volunteer work and, surprisingly, despite rumors to the contrary, receive no salaries for their selfless work.
Since 1975, when Busby received his Hunter Education Certification from the California Department of Fish and Game, and 1990, when Amble received his own, Kern Shooting Sports has graduated more than 5,000 men, women and children with the hunter education certificates needed to procure a hunting license. These graduates are not necessarily all local, with students attending classes from as far away as San Diego and Fresno.
Daryl, married to wife Brenda for 43 years, owns a local Loan Signing Service. They have a son, Chris, daughter-in-law Jenni and grandchildren Paige and Mason. In a recent interview, Amble proudly noted that "My favorite saying is 'teach your kids to shoot and hunt because it teaches them responsibility, respect for wildlife and of the outdoors." He also added, "This award is really humbling for both Jay and me. It comes from other sportsmen, making worthwhile and validating all the years of our volunteer efforts."
Jay, married to Kristine for 34 years, has two daughters, Jill and Jenee, and has taught hunter education locally for an astounding 36 years. He owns and runs Buzby Air Conditioning and Heating.
When asked about the driving force behind Kern Shooting Sports, he answered, "Daryl and I have the same philosophy of teaching kids hunter safety because it perpetuates the shooting sports through our youth of tomorrow. We also want to protect our 2nd Amendment rights by educating our students about the responsibility, ethics and sportsmanship of being a gun owner and hunter."
When both men take to the stage on Oct. 25, they'll be able to look out and over the crowd and see the results of their hard work. More than just a few people will applaud their selfless efforts because these men were initially responsible for assisting them in getting their original hunting licenses.
The 60th annual Sportsman's Night will be held once again at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Committee chairman Jim Roberts will once again host the gala event which honors all of the sportsmen and women of Kern County. Proceeds from the event are donated to a host of local shooting, kids' and outdoor-oriented organizations.
Only 800 tickets will be sold this year, available at: Valley Gun, the Ammo Dump, Bob's Bait Bucket,2nd Amendment Sports, Galey's Marine Supply, Bear Mountain Sports; and Ol' Boy Outdoors.
Leftover tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis and the price of admission remains a $30 donation.
Besides the opportunity to share an evening with friends and fellow sportsmen, "Sportsman's Night" always offers up a super deal for the fun evening. More than 100 door prizes, including guns, wildlife art, fishing and hunting accessories and guided hunts, all valued at $100 or more, will be given away just for the price of admission. Half of the prizes will be given to the youths younger than 16 that are present, including guns and other valuable outdoor gear, so bring the whole family.
A social hour starts the evening at 5 p.m., followed by a steak dinner with all the trimmings at 7. Of all the outdoor oriented events held locally, Sportsman's Night is the granddaddy of all of them and should be supported by everyone associated with the outdoors. Contact Jim Roberts (661) 805-5766 for more information.
