Youths Enjoy Mentored Late Season Pheasant Hunt

On a cold blustery Sunday in March, when most folks were watching the game or sacking out on the couch, two young hunters and their mentors went into the field for a late season pheasant hunt. They hunted The Flying B Ranch in Kamiah. Yes, upland bird seasons normally close on December 31, but hunting on licensed shooting preserves is permitted into April. Tommy Macadow and Sarah Fischer of Grangeville were invited to the Ranch as part of an annual effort from Flying B owner, Bob Burlingame, and Idaho Fish and Game, to keep Idaho's hunting culture alive and well. The Flying B sponsors many youth hunts throughout the season. The previous week, 20 graduates of local hunter education classes in the area were invited to the Ranch for a day of instruction and hunting. George Fischer, Idaho Fish and Game district conservation officer from Grangeville praised The "B", its employees and Burlingame for being "outstanding neighbors in the community." "Even in these brutal economic times, the Ranch is keeping focused on our area kids," Fischer said. "Their generosity is second to none. The kids have a great day at the Ranch. Lessons learned in safe practices, making good decisions, respect for others and having a strong ethical code will last these kids a life time. I have had several youth hunters come up to me after the hunt and say ÔMr. Fischer, this has been the best day of my life.'" In addition to Fischer, Senior Conservation Officer Roy Kinner and Idaho County Deputy Mike Brewster assisted the hunters. Fischer and Brewster's hunting dogs, Ginger and Haus, were also a vital part of the day's success. The day started off with some practice and refining shot gun skills at The B's sporting clay range. Tommy gave the coaches some fine examples of how it's done, and 99 percent of his shots were clean kills on the clay targets. Sarah broke her first two clays of her budding shooting career. The weather conditions made for a tough hunt. The birds were wild and shooting quick and difficult. Tommy bagged two roosters and a Hungarian partridge. A very lucky chukar eluded him. Tommy lost use of his legs in an ATV accident two years ago. Handicap? No way. Tommy has more drive and skills then many folks who rely on legs to get them around. Sarah and her dog Ginger teamed up on a rooster, though she gave Ginger most of the credit for the quick kill. It was an awesome day that built friendships, safety practices and fortified our hunting heritage that will last a lifetime and passed on to future generations.