Free Shooting Skills Clinic Planned

To stimulate a transition from the video game in the basement to a duck blind on the river, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be hosting a free shotgun shooting skills clinic on Saturday, September 27. A limited number of clinic spots for youth 9 to 17 will be available at 9 a.m. and another round at 1 p.m. at the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area near Roberts. In between the two sessions, Fish and Game will host a free BBQ as part of the event. "We've got a whole generation of kids growing up whose only ideas about shotguns come from playing video games," Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski said. "This can lead to unrealistic and unsafe ideas about what the guns can and cannot do." While video games may be part of the issue, the pace of the world that we live in also comes into play. "Families just don't seem to have the time to get out and hunt, or they lack the equipment or skills to pass on the thrill of shooting and hunting to the next generation," Losinski said. The clinic has been designed to help youths who come from families that either don't hunt or haven't had the time or resources to teach about safe and fun shooting. The clinic will be run by Fish and Game staff members and volunteer hunter education instructors, who will teach safe gun handling and proper techniques for successful shotgun shooting. After basic instruction, attendees will have the opportunity to hone their skills by shooting at clay targets. Shotguns and shells will be provided by IDFG, as well hearing and eye protection. If someone already has a shotgun, this clinic may not be for them. "Our primary goal is to reach kids who have maybe taken hunter education, but never had a chance to shoot a shotgun," Losinski said. Advance registration is required by calling 208-525-7290. Parents are encouraged to take part in the clinic. Area schools are also being contacted to let students know about this learning opportunity. Families that already hunt and have shotguns will have the opportunity statewide that same weekend to take place in the special youth waterfowl hunt. To learn more about the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt or any other related topics, go to the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/wf.