Sportsmen's Groups, Pheasant's Forever and Local Businesses Team Up For Youth Pheasant Hunt

LEWISTON - With society changing and hunting not as accessible to young people as in the past, the local Pheasant's Forever Chapter, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, several sportsmen's groups and community business exposed twenty youth to the thrills of upland game bird hunting at the fifth annual youth pheasant hunting clinic held on Saturday, November 1. The youth, ages twelve to fifteen, learned about safe gun handling, hunter ethics, basic shotgun skills, pheasant biology and successful hunting techniques. The highlight of the day came when each young hunter practiced their skills hunting pheasants. The day began with several Lewiston Gun Club members giving the young hunters pointers on how to handle guns safely and how to effectively hit flying targets. The kids were then transported to area south of Lewiston where they ate lunch and then paired up with a safety officer and volunteers from Pheasant's Forever and the Snake River Gun Dog Association who provided guidance and trained dogs to point the birds. Over 35 birds were harvested with each student successful in bagging at least one rooster. The day ended with Cal Groen, IDFG regional Supervisor teaching the students how to properly clean and prepare birds for cooking. Various recipes were provided and a demonstration on how to deep-fat fry pheasant completed the day. The clinic would not be possible without the generous contributions of the local Pheasants Forever chapter, Snake River Gun Dog and Sportsmen's Association, Lewiston Gun Club, Rogers Motors and Little Canyon Hunting Preserve.