Ford County Youth Deer Hunt
KDWP’s “Pass It On” program continues to promote the recruitment and retention of young people into the outdoors
If you were fortunate enough to have been introduced to hunting at an early age, you know the magic. Thinking back to your first season opener, whether it was for pheasant, deer, ducks or rabbit - the fellowship and camaraderie of family and friends probably is as much a part of the memory as the hunt was. It rests in your memories forever, and it drives a basic desire to experience the outdoors each fall. This year’s participants in the Ford County Youth deer hunt will likely never forget the 30 – 40 mph winds, unpredictable targets on the range and in the field and Chigger the German short hair! Hunting is a valued natural heritage - one that must be passed on from one generation to the next. September 29 & 30 was the annual early youth deer season (open to youth 16 and under) in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KDWP) organizes several youth deer hunts throughout the State each year. The annual hunt in Ford County is becoming an eagerly anticipated event for everyone involved, from the kids and parents who participate to the landowners who allow access to their land. The day began around noon at the Dave and Ann Tassett farm South of Spearville with a group of volunteers preparing a meal of buffalo burgers with all the trimmings. After lunch the kids began to prepare for the hunt. The first order of business was to be safe and have fun. The early part of the afternoon was spent making sure each of the kids (and their adult mentor’s) are proficient in handling and shooting their rifle. When not at the shooting bench with an instructor, they enjoyed the afternoon by taking part in a wing shooting session, doing some computer video hunting, or just visiting with everyone attending. Late in the afternoon, each hunter and a parent were taken to the field, with an experienced mentor if desired. Camouflage blinds had been strategically placed and could comfortably accommodate 3 people, 4 if a little brother or sister tags along. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent waiting for an opportunity to take a deer. For many of these kids, this weekend was the first opportunity that they had ever had to try hunting and many of this year’s participants have older siblings who took part in the first event 4 years ago! When the hunt was over for the evening, successful hunters returned with their deer and the rest of the hunters made plans for the morning hunt. When all was said and done, 7 of the 12 kids had taken a whitetail doe. A big thank you goes out to the following businesses and individuals whose generous support makes this event possible. Kansas Wildlife Officers Association and C&S Kansas Whitetails for purchasing most of the deer permits, Tim & Kim Durler of Quality Parts in Spearville, Derrick Harding and Culligan Water of Dodge City, Tim & Sue Copeland of T&T Processing, Bill Jordan & Joy Turner with RealTree Outdoors, Dave & Ann Tassett, and last but not least Marty Konda, Charles Hensley, Bob Hattrup, Gene Carson, and C&S Kansas Whitetails for allowing us to hunt their property. The “PASS IT ON” program is designed to reverse the declining trend in hunter numbers, and is part of the KDWP Hunter Recruitment and Retention effort. This program addresses the need to recruit new hunters and retain existing hunters in order to ensure the future of hunting in Kansas. The most vital component of the program is you. It takes a hunter to make a hunter, and it is critical that youth learn important life lessons in the outdoors from experienced hunters. Please become involved by taking a child hunting this fall. There are opportunities this year to make those first hunts rewarding, quality experiences.
For more information, contact Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks at 1001 West McArtor Road in Dodge City or visit them on the Web at www.kdwp.state.ks.us. It just takes a little of your time to give kids the time of their life!