Idaho Wildavore Workshop Offered in Pocatello

Last year, our southeast region Fish and Game office rolled out a new mentored hunt program called Idaho Wildavore. It is a program for the true beginning adult hunter who has very little or no experience with hunting and does not have an experienced mentor through which to learn the tradition. To pilot the program, a deer hunting workshop (complete with a mentored deer hunt) was offered to adults last fall, followed by a turkey hunting workshop last spring. Both classes were "wildly" successful. Now, we are ready to roll-out our second deer hunting Wildavore workshop. The workshop has been divided into three sessions-each covering different aspects of hunting-- and culminating with a mentored hunting experience. Participants will learn about deer biology, habitat needs, wildlife management, hunting techniques and ethics, types of gear, rifle selection, binocular use, scouting, shot placement, blood trailing, field dressing a deer, meat care, and much more. Session I is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game office in Pocatello. A field excursion to the Portneuf Wildlife Management Area is also planned for this session. Session II is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This session will be held in part at the Fish and Game office in Pocatello and also at the 2 _ mile Shooting Range in Chubbuck. Participants will receive training in safe gun handling and target shooting with .22 and .243 caliber rifles. Session III occurs over two days during which participants will learn deer skinning and processing methods. Friday, September 11, the class runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and resumes Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After workshop sessions have been completed, the participants will then be matched up with experienced mentors for deer hunts. Workshop participants will need to provide basic gear and clothing appropriate for hiking in the outdoors in varying weather conditions, however, Idaho Fish and Game will provide the gun for the mentored hunt. Cost of the entire class is $25 per person plus the cost of purchasing a deer license and tag. The ideal candidate for this workshop has never hunted before (or has very little hunting experience) and does not have access to experienced hunting mentors. Those who apply must also be at least 18 years of age. All participants must be certified in Hunter Education. This requirement can be accomplished by taking a Hunter Ed class, taking an online class and field day, or completing the independent study workbook and field day. Classes and field days are being offered in Pocatello and other parts of the region throughout the summer. For a list of classes and field days or to take the course online, visit Idaho Fish and Game's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education/?getPage=30. To pick up an independent study workbook, just stop by your nearest Fish and Game office. Through the Idaho Wildavore program, Fish and Game hopes to help connect an untapped but interested user group to conservation through the important role of hunting. It is Fish and Game's desire to see workshop graduates leave with the basic knowledge and experience to continue hunting on their own, and even introduce the tradition to friends and family. For more information or to submit an application, call the Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 or email Liz Horsmon at Elizabeth.Horsmon@idfg.idaho.gov.