In your orientation station, a Conservation Officer and certified hunter safety instructor should talk to the Apprentices about firearm safety, importance of game laws the role of a Conservation Officer.

Trap Shooting Station

Complimentary to this event, you should have members from your local gun club manage a trap shooting station. This will provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce some of the messages from the previous station as the Apprentices prepare to shoot at the clay pigeons. Adjacent to this area, you could also have an activity station that tests silhouette identification of different wildlife, or using life-sized mounts such as a deer, turkey or bear to teach the Apprentices about judging distances.
 

Dog Handlers

On to the hunting station, you will find that the local bird, dog or hunter retriever clubs will supply the dog handlers and the dogs. With their involvement, Apprentices will experience what it is like to hunt over a well trained retriever or pointing dog. Expect this to be one of the highlights of your event since the dog handlers are generally avid hunters and have considerable knowledge about wildlife, firearm safety and the importance of a well trained dog in enhancing the hunting experience.

Mock Check

As part of the hunting station, the planning committee should have the Conservation Officers complete a “mock check” on a group of Apprentices and Mentors. This will provide an excellent opportunity for two-way communication as the Apprentices interact with the Conservation Officers.
 

Lunch Time Activities

Your event could also include other activities such as a lunch time demonstration. The dog handlers could show the Apprentices how their dogs are used in different hunting situations e.g. waterfowl. There are other learning activities that could be considered as well such as field dressing, using a falconry bird for hunting, setting up a tree stand, using different game calls, hunter ethics etc.

In closing, your Youth Hunting Day event should mirror the components that make up a successful hunt from pre-planning to eating the cooked game. Use each of these steps as a teachable moment; not just about hunting but the personal values that contribute to being a safe and responsible hunter.