Family Outdoor Festival Planned November 7 near Lava Hot Springs

Are you looking for some outdoor fun for the whole family without having to travel very far or pack all your gear? Then look no further than the Third Annual Family Outdoor Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Smith's Trout Haven in Lava Hot Springs. From 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., this special day will be filled with numerous activities and experiences that promise to create outdoor memories for the whole family! And, the entire event is free! Hands-on learning stations will be set-up for participants, including duck calling and decoy set-up, elk calling, bird cleaning and cooking, tomahawk throwing, and black powder shooting. In addition, there will be air rifle and archery ranges, a trap shoot, fly casting instruction, a large taxidermy exhibit, and an opportunity to do some trout fishing with Idaho Fish and Game's Take Me Fishing Trailer. Fishing gear and supplies will be provided, and no fishing license is required! Plus, bring your antlers or skulls to the event's big game scoring station for an informative demonstration by a certified measurer. One of the most exciting parts of the whole outdoor festival is the mentored pheasant hunts for youth (ages 10-17). Mentors and dog handlers with experienced hunting dogs will be on-hand to provide instruction and guidance to hunt participants. All hunters must have completed a Hunter Education course prior to participating in a mentored hunt, and all hunters must have a hunting license. Though anyone can stop by and enjoy the booths and activities at the event, reservations for participating in the youth pheasant hunt are required by November 4. Contact the Idaho Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 for registration information. All activities in the Family Outdoor Festival, including the pheasant hunt, are free to the public. This is possible because of these wonderful partners: Smith's Trout Haven, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Pocatello Field Archers, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Portneuf Muzzleloaders, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, and Boy Scouts of America. We also thank the wonderful landowners who are allowing access to their properties for the mentored hunts. Idaho Fish and Game is also excited to be a part of this incredibly important event that helps connect youth and families to the great outdoors and to the traditions of hunting and fishing. The success of this outdoor festival is also dependent on our incredible volunteers and sponsors! If you, your organization, or your business would like to be a part of this Family Outdoor Festival through volunteering at the event or making a donation, please contact Jason Beck at 208-251-7438 or Tessa Atwood at 208-251-6510.