I think there’s a misunderstanding of these youth events; but even if we’re actually talking about youth hunting events sanctioned by the game and fish dept’s (which we’re not), I’m surprised by the reactions. To be clear, these are events designed to generate interest in the outdoors in our youth…not using computers or I phones, etc.
Better stay in MN, IA has the saturday and sunday the week before the pheasant opener for the youth, they can get 1 each day...can't believe there are any left for anyone else! Gim, that is a strange stance on youth hunting. Getting them out earlier, means less competition for them and maybe a bigger benefit is the weather is likely milder. I don't think the youth season put much pressure on the wildlife that I can see. The game animals are still there, unless they were lucky enought to harvest one, which we should hope they do...that might hook them for life! Sometimes you need to give just a little.
That's really surprising. I figured you would have to turn people away for a deal like that. I really want to do one still though.Our local chapter here in OH hosts a youth day at a local club. We only have released birds here and PF covers the cost for the birds and the guides volunteer our time and dogs. The bad part is the last couple years we are only getting about half the spots taken. Other than shells there is no cost to the families for this and we also provide food for free. Would think you would have a waiting list for kids to do it.
It is one of my favorite days of the year though as I enjoy seeing kids out in the field.
We used to have a waiting list. Pushing for a better job of promoting it. Hopefully we see better results this year. Does t look like I will be able to guide or it this year due to a work commitment.
Living in Duluth do you go grouse hunting?
That's all it is here. Just taking the dog for an armed walk in the woods...
When I lived in Nebraska I was active in our local PF chapter. I have a lot of great memories from our mentor hunts. One year, the kid I was assigned to missed his first shot at a bird. I reminded him to focus on the head of the bird the next time he had a chance. Shortly thereafter the dog went on point. We eased up to the dog. The bird gets up and flies towards us, angling sharply up. At a range of less than 10', the kid shoulders the gun and squeezes off a quick, but safe shot. The bird tumbles to the ground, nearly landing on us. I took the shotgun from the boy so he could go claim his prize. After the bird stopped flopping all over the place, the boy picks the headless bird up and hollers, "Hey mister, it really worked! I shot his head right off!" The pattern at that range couldn't have been much bigger than a tennis ball, he decapitated that bird. It was an incredibly lucky shot, but I didn't let him know that.Our local chapter here in OH hosts a youth day at a local club. We only have released birds here and PF covers the cost for the birds and the guides volunteer our time and dogs. The bad part is the last couple years we are only getting about half the spots taken. Other than shells there is no cost to the families for this and we also provide food for free. Would think you would have a waiting list for kids to do it.
It is one of my favorite days of the year though as I enjoy seeing kids out in the field.
That's a great story! You know that kid is still talking about it today!
Just got my PF Upland Bird Hunting Super Issue. Nice magazine, good articles, great pictures. Another reason to be a member.Keep in mind that these youth events aren’t the one’s that the states operate and offer; I did take my boys to SD 10+ years ago for their youth hunt, never saw anyone else. I talk to farmers that I’m friends with, they never see anyone doing it. I can see local ducks getting pressured before the northern ducks arrive, but I don’t think pheasants are impacted by a youth hunt when it’s usually warm. I’m leaving for MT/ND pretty soon, I’ve stated my support for PF, lots of differing opinions that people are entitled to…just hope that everyone finds a way to help improve or preserve habitat, other than by buying their license, or a gun or ammo. Nothing would surprise me, I guess.
SD has a youth pheasant season. 9 days long; 2 weekends; includes public land. Then the resident 3-day weekend on public land. People get out for those things, myself & my kids included. Pheasants are definitely shot. Then the real mayhem starts with the traditional opener on the 3rd Saturday in Oct. Many of my favorite public spots get hunted multiple times a day for several weeks in a row. Then several times a week for the rest of the season. Yet I manage to shoot pheasants on those spots all season long, & I'm not working terribly hard to do it.
