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Each year organizations and individuals offer their time and land to help young hunters experience a quality pheasant hunt. Usually the participants are selected from a drawing of students enrolled in a Hunter Safety Course so most are 12 or 13 years old. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks has set aside the second weekend of October for Youth Hunting, which is one week prior to the regular season. The youth hunt is usually co-hosted by the Safety Instructor and Landowner and each young hunter is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Many Pheasant Country Members participate in this program by graciously offering their time and resources to this worthwhile program.
Typically the day begins with a drive to the farm early in the morning. Upon arrival they may enjoy breakfast pheasant tacos cooked on an outdoor grill. Then the instructor will talk about hunter safety and ethics before heading out to the field.
Once in the field the instructor will make sure that the parent or guardian has control of all the shells before instructing them to give one to the youth to load into the shotgun. When loaded the youth will proceed in a single line with an adult right behind and the instructor and landowner behind the parents.
The instructor makes sure that plenty of breaks are taken to allow for discussion about ethical hunting and pheasant Management. The landowner may explain what he did to improve the number of pheasants on his land and time is reserved for plenty of fellowship and visiting.
This is a very popular program in South Dakota made possible by volunteer Safety Instructors, landowners and pheasant enthusiasts.
New & Events: 2006 Youth Hunt |
