RangerClay Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Hi all, I was asked by a local outdoor sportsman's club for advise. They are interested in organizing a youth day (hunting, shooting) event but they are not exactly sure what to do. They contacted me because I have been involved with National Teen Anglers for several years. However I have never organized a shooting event. I suggested that they contact the NWTF because they have the JAKES program. I then told them that I would go home and brainstrorm some other ideas. I have some ideas on jotted down on paper but I would like to hear what some of your clubs do to bring youth into the sport. Do you have any suggestions that I can pass along? Thanks Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. Pretty sure Mathews has a junior shooting program too. They come out, set up the range, and let the little ones shoot the Genesis bows. Might want to go to their site and check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted August 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. [ QUOTE ] Pretty sure Mathews has a junior shooting program too. They come out, set up the range, and let the little ones shoot the Genesis bows. Might want to go to their site and check that out. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks Chris! I forgot about that program. I have seen it on TV. Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. Not sure how things work in NY but around here, if you contact the local game warden or biologist, they're always ready to come out and put on some type of presentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. Well seeing that I have a degree in outdoor ed. and did my internship at a DEC environmental camp, let me look through some stuff andg et back to you. I may have a few ideas. Any idea the age range of the youth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted August 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. [ QUOTE ] Well seeing that I have a degree in outdoor ed. and did my internship at a DEC environmental camp, let me look through some stuff andg et back to you. I may have a few ideas. Any idea the age range of the youth? [/ QUOTE ] Hi T-girl! I would assume it is kids under 16. Geez, I was expecting a bigger response from the rest of you folks. Isn't there more of you involved with youth activities? No wonder our sport is on the decline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagobbln Posted August 9, 2006 Report Share Posted August 9, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. Ranger, I’ve been very active in our local NWTF chapter here in southern Virginia for about ten years. We annually host one of the largest JAKES events in the state with about 200 kids attending. We hold it at a local game management area (public land). Here are some of the events/seminars that we’ve had success with over the years: 3D Archery – a local bowhunting club supplies all the bows, arrows and targets. They, along with chapter members serve as instructors. Air gun range – NWTF has the airguns. Local hunter education instructors supervise. Video Hunting and Fishing Simulators – Our game department has both and we get the local game wardens to supervise. Turkey Calling seminar – this past year we also ordered box call kits and let the kids build their own calls. Hunting Dog Demonstration – local kennel brought retrievers and pointing dogs. Kids loved it. Trapping – Local trapper brought equipment and furs and showed the kids how to make a set. Habitat Improvement – Forestry department supervised and talked about land stewardship. We ordered sawtooth oaks for all the kids and let them plant them along with tree shelters, mats, etc. Cannon Net Demonstration – Our state turkey biologist set up and detonated the cannon net used to capture/relocate wild turkeys. Big “wow” factor. Taxidermy Demonstration – local taxidermist brought in mounts at various stages and showed the kids what went into a mount. Spring Turkey Hunt Raffle – We give away a number of guided spring turkey hunts. Chapter members volunteer and take the kids turkey hunting on Virginia’s special youth day. For many, it’s their first hunt. Other seminars we’ve done with the help of various people and organizations include: “Back to Nature”, a wildlife conservation program, falconry demonstration, “Mountain Man” demonstration and Indian artifacts. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kirk Posted August 9, 2006 Report Share Posted August 9, 2006 Re: Organizing a youth event. Little help please. I have some experience in coordinating youth events. The big obstacle is getting Mama to allow them to come. As soon as they hear "gun" they get all protective and won't little Johnny come. I always try to minimize the firearm usage in the first event. I always throw a warm up event as an "Outdoor Day". I still still mention firearms and archery but I don't ask anyone to shoot the first time out. You can sort of gauge the acceptance level of the parents and then invite the receptive parent/children to the real shoot. The important thing is to make it fun for the youth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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