Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Area youth, parents, mentors and guides gathered for the annual Youth Mentor Hunt. Seven young hunters along with 11 mentors and speakers attended. Here the group is pictured walking across the prairie practicing a safe way to travel afoot with a firearm.
Copper, a German Shorthaired Pointer hunts with a young participant during the recent Pheasants Forever youth mentor hunt.
The Mile High Chapter of Pheasants Forever held their annual Youth Mentor Hunt on October 24 with seven youth hunters and 11 mentors and speakers.The youth hunters were given a hunting vest along with other items to get them ready for hunting.
Larry Stahla spoke with the group about hunter safety, a refresher for those gathered, each of whom are between the ages of 12 and 15 and have passed the hunter safety course. Stahla concentrated on entering and exiting vehicles safely as well as how to ask for permission to hunt on someones land.
Mike Klosterman, a biologist for Pheasants Forever, educated the young hunters about pheasants, their habitat, and predators.
The youth were offered the opportunity to shoot trap, allowing them some target practice before heading to the field to find some pheasants.
"We are very lucky to have great support from our community with all the volunteers that come out to make this day a success, and with Jim Young who allows us to plant the birds on his land for the kids to come out and hunt, down to the people who make breakfast and lunch for all who participate," said Pheasants Forever member Amira Moore.
This year two dogs were available for the group to hunt behind – Dale Moore's dog, Copper and Chuck Bunner's, Ellie, both German Shorthaired Pointers.
Participants learned how to hunt behind a dog and reported enjoying watching the dogs work the field to find the pheasants.
While out for the hunt the youth learned how to be aware of their surroundings and other hunters, when not to shoot and what not to shoot. The group didn't leave the field until all youth hunters had a chance to shoot, potentially to bag a bird.
Once each hunter had a bird they made their way back to the trap range where they were taught how to clean their own birds.
"We have a great group of adult mentors that take their time to get paired up with a youth and help them the whole day, some of our mentors have been volunteering their time for several years, it is never hard to find mentors," Moore said.
Participants are invited to help with the annual Pheasants Forever Banquet where they will be recognized for being a part of the program.
The local Pheasants Forever Banquet is scheduled for March 12, 2016. Everyone is invited to attend and support the Mile High Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
