Upper Snake Sportsmen Offer Free Youth Skills Day

Today's youth have lots of things that they can do with their time, probably too many things. In addition to family, school and even jobs, today's young person has nearly unlimited access to all forms of activities and entertainment. What might be called more traditional leisure time activities such as fishing and hunting are taking a backseat to iPods and Xboxes. There are many reasons for this shift, but the sportsmen's groups of the Upper Snake Region have again joined forces to offer kids and their families a chance to experience a wide-variety of outdoor activities on Saturday, May 9, at Beaver Dick Park on Highway 33 outside of Rexburg. While Idaho is sportsman's paradise, with all kinds of opportunity for exciting outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, trapping and horse packing, many young people don't know how to make the initial contact to get started. What used to be an activity that the whole family enjoyed, such as fishing, has failed to make the jump to our youngest generation. In many cases it seems no one in the family knows how to do the activity any more, or lacks the gear, but more than likely doesn't have the time to get out. Sportsmen's groups in the Upper Snake Region have taken the big step to make the time to reach out to young people. "The Youth Outdoor Skills Day is a great opportunity for area youth to discover the great outdoor activities that Eastern Idaho great," said Russ Knight, Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region landowner/sportsman coordinator. "The area sportsman's groups are sponsoring this event to teach our kids some of the skills they need to safely participate in the hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities that can be found in our area." The free event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m., but registration starts at 9 a.m. Everyone who takes part in at least six of the mini-seminars will be entered in a drawing for a new rifle. The seminars are all free and will cover such topics as fishing, archery, trapping, turkey calling, boat safety, duck hunting, muzzleloading, hound dogging, horse packing and survival. A trailer with a portable airgun range will also be on hand for youngsters and their families to test their skills. Beaver Dick Park is along the banks of the Henry's Fork and next to Idaho Fish and Game's Cartier Slough Wildlife Management Area, and that means youths are guaranteed to be up and moving around enjoying all the area has to offer. Children of all ages are welcome, and hamburgers and hotdogs will be served. There is sure to be something for everyone and the goal is to get more people out enjoying the great outdoors of Idaho. For more information call Fish and Game at 208-525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD).