TWRA plays tribute to Mrs. Helton



TWRA plays tribute to Mrs. Helton | TWRA, Martha Vance

Mark Vance, Martha Helton and Don Elrod.

As the new Game Warden in Cannon County, there are a few constants I have come to expect as part of the job, said Game Warden Mark Vance.

The first statement I get from many hunters and land owners, “You must be the fellow that took Donnie’s place.” Donnie being Mr. Donnie Elrod, the long-time Game Warden of Cannon County. Cannon County will be Mr. Elrod’s county for a long time to come, especially to those who know him, Vance said.

The second of these constants is the friendliness of the people of Cannon County. Most all of the folks I have come in contact with have been as cordial and friendly as could be. Some of the folks I have come in contact with under not the best circumstances will even shake my hand when our business is finished, he continued.

The third constant is the reason for all this rambling. There is a very consistent reply to the question I ask the hunters, “Have you had hunter education?” If the person I ask this question is from Cannon County, the answer is almost always, “Yes, and I took it in health class with Mrs. Helton,” Vance said.

Mrs. Martha Helton has been teaching Hunter Education at Cannon County High School for more than 30 years and during that time has graduated more than 2,000 students. On behalf of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Mr. Donnie Elrod and myself, “thank you” Mrs. Helton for your service to the young people of Cannon County and for your love of the outdoors, Vance said.