COEUR d'ALENE - When it comes to hunter education in Idaho, the name of Anita Banta might not come up very often.

It should, says Mike Piper.

The Coeur d'Alene woman is in her 30th year of teaching classes in Idaho hunter education. Not many have demonstrated such dedication in the state, Piper said.

"Anita Banta has been a tremendous leader in this program, demonstrating outstanding care, respect, patience and understanding to all," he said of his partner in hunter education. "A lady that continually goes way beyond the call of duty with true professionalism and grace. I am very proud of Anita and grateful to be associated with her the past 18 years."

Banta isn't one to seek accolades. She says she's simply been doing what she can so folks young and old can participate in an activity that has a strong following in Idaho.

She has influenced thousands of hunters in Idaho's outdoors. Her list of students includes her granddaughter, Stephanie Roberts, and her husband, Mark Roberts.

"I have enjoyed being involved and hoping that I have helped people start off in their hobbies and sports skills with a positive attitude," she said.

In recounting her career, Banta is quick to point out she began teaching hunter education with Norman Gaunt, and later formed a partnership for teaching with Piper.

Her thoughts this week were on Gaunt.

"Norm is currently treating for cancer, and we should wish him all the best," she wrote. "He was involved with the program for several years, was quite a hunter and a good instructor. We still see Norm occasionally, and he is very optimistic."

Banta stays busy. Consider the organizations she has been in or still is a part of:

n VFW Auxiliary Post 889 in Coeur d'Alene

n Friends of the National Rifle Association

n The Coeur d'Alene Rifle and Pistol Club

She doesn't shy away from politics, either. She has worked on national, state and local elections since 1960.

She belongs to several organizations involved in elections, and has "never thrown a tomato at anyone. Even if I don't always agree with a politician's political view, I try to treat them with respect."

"I learned very early to listen carefully to what the candidates for office are saying and doing, and I work on the campaign for candidates I respect and feel will keep their promises when and if elected."

But toss aside what's politically correct. Piper praises Banta for carrying out the mission of hunter education programs that began in New York in 1949 to reduce hunting incidents.

Banta was among the first hunter ed instructors. Her certification number, she noted, is 13.

Hunter education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and hunting safety. They have been expanded to produce responsibility, knowledgeable and involved hunters - hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically.

"These programs give beginners and good foundation, and they provide a refresher for veteran hunters," Piper said.

A hunter education instructor must be able to teach the 10 commandments of firearm safety, Piper said, which include firearms, shooting skills, equipment and techniques, responsibility and preparation and survival skills.

Piper added that a peculiar value in wildlife ethics is that the "hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his or her conduct. Whatever his or her acts, they are dictated by his or her own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers."

No doubt, he added, that those taught by Banta understand their role when they head out for the hunt.

"Ultimately, the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the hunting tradition," he said.

And none have done that better than Banta. She learned young the craft of hunting, and continues to share the sport with her husband of 46 years, Bob Banta.

Her current class includes four nights a week of instruction for two weeks. Some years, she has taught three or four classes, but has cut back to one class per year.

What keeps her going is no surprise: the kids.

"I've been working with kids all my life," said the former lifeguard and high school swimming instructor.

Her constant message to her students has been simple and straight.

"I tried to get across to kids it's a good sport and that they need to be responsible, they need to be respectful, they need to be safe," she said.

And they listened.

To Banta's knowledge, in all her years, none of her students were penalized or fined for doing anything improper.

And in case you were wondering, she has no immediate plans to retire. Eventually, sure, but not now.

"I'm still enjoying it," she said Wednesday. "I'll keep at it a while longer."

Banta, once an avid hunter who knows the North Fork of the St. Joe well, still gets out every so often. Bear, deer, elk, she has hunted them all. Her closest call came when she once managed to place herself, accidentally, between a black bear and its cub.

Momma charged.

Banta had little choice. To save herself, she fired her muzzleloader from a distance of 8 feet. The bear fell. Banta lived to tell the tale.

"I'm one of these kind of people during an emergency, I can act. When the emergency is over, that's when I fall apart," she said. "I can keep control as long as I have to."

Still, she decided then and there, to be better prepared for future close encounters.

"That same weekend, I went and bought a .357 Magnum," she said.