Hunter Ed Graduates Hunt Pheasants at the Flying B

As the April snow blew sideways across Camas Prairie, 20 eager young hunters bundled up for the first hunt of their lifetime. The rookie hunters, ages 10 to 14, were awarded a day of pheasant hunting at the Flying-B Ranch near Kamiah. Each youth was selected based on their maturity, good grades and essays they wrote while participating in a hunter education course held recently in Grangeville. The Flying B Ranch donated the use of their entire facilities, clay pigeons, professional guides, hunting dogs and pheasants, while several Idaho Fish and Game hunter education instructors and conservation officers provided guidance. The National Wild Turkey Federation provided all the shotgun shells. The day began with a firearms safety refresher, followed by a dog handling and hunting demonstration. Then each hunter received instruction in shotgun shooting and tested their skills by shooting sporting clays on the range. After a brief sack lunch, the students were divided into teams of five students, a guide, two pointing dogs and at least one hunter education instructor or Fish and Game officer. Each hunter took turns being the designated shooter and was allowed to load their gun only when the guide gave the command and the dogs went on point. Parents were also allowed to observe and follow along on the hunt. Safety, respect and team work were emphasized throughout the day. Several of the young hunters mentioned that this was the best day of their lives. In addition, the adults got to witness first hand a very high level of responsibility and maturity by the young hunters. "Hunts like this bring out the best in our youth," said George Fischer, Idaho Fish and Game district conservation officer who helped coordinate the event. "It was a great day and there is simply no better way to introduce a young person to safe, ethical and responsible aspects of hunting than with the close supervision of an adult mentor." The goal of Idaho's hunter education program is to assist future hunters to become safe, confident, and responsible. Gun safety is the main focus, but students learn about wildlife identification, game care, survival, ethics, wildlife conservation and management. Youth hunts for turkey, waterfowl and pheasants are available prior to the general season opening day. Youth as young as 10 who complete a hunter education course and purchase a hunting license and appropriate permits and tags are eligible to participate. Youth hunts were created to increase youth hunting opportunities and promote hunting as a safe, enjoyable family-oriented activity.