Hunter Outreach

[Oak]

I'm going to be spending the next three days introducing 6 teenagers to hunting, through the CDOW Hunter Outreach Program. We will be setting up wall tents and chasing pronghorn in northwestern Colorado. The weather outlook is great, so it should be a fun weekend.

The Hunter Outreach Program relies primarily on a large network of volunteers throughout the state to introduce novice women, youth and veterans to hunting and recreational shooting. In 2009, the program hosted 111 hunting or shooting events, which were supported by over 9,500 volunteer hours. Youth hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl and upland birds, and access for hunts is donated by landowners throughout the state.

The Hunter Outreach Program thrives on volunteers who are willing to give one weekend of their time to introduce a new hunter to the sport. If you would like to learn more about the program and how you can get involved, please visit this website.

 

[Randy11]

That's pretty cool, hope it turns out well for you.

 

[CJ...$]

Glad to hear your doing that Oak.... We actually have a "ballot inititive"this Nov. to make hunting/fishing a "right"..... Who would have thought we had to do this... Keep introducing the next generation.

 

[T Bone]

Good on you Oak. Be safe and have some fun.

 

[IdahoBugler]

That's awesome Oak. Make sure you teach them to hold out for only monster bucks like you do.

 

[tarheel]

Good of you and other like minded sportsmen to introduce this thing we do to the younger and distaff members of the community. It's sad that we can no longer sustain our base of hunters through the more traditional and time honored method of father to son as in the past, but that's the way our society is going today.
If you get north of Irish Canyon near Mud Flats you'll be where I got my first goat about 37 years ago. Good luck!!!

 

[Big Fin]

Great job, Oak. The reward is in the value of the cause, and that cause has a lot of value. Thanks for doing it.

 

[Ultrahunter]

Good on ya Oak, that would make for a cool TV show Fin!

 

[elk_hunter]

Fantastic, Oak! Looking forward to hearing how it turns out!

 

[highmountian]

Oak, way to be there for the kids! That is pretty cool, what you are doing!

 

[shoots-straight]

Way to go Oak. They couldn't have a better teach.

 

[cornfed]

I'm sure they are all wanting to get paired up with that guy that was on that hunting show.Great job Oak.

 

[jabber]

Kudos to you Oak for taking the time out of your life to help others and leave an everlasting impression on these kids.

 

[Ridge Runner]

That is very cool Oak. HAVE FUN!

 

[ashersdad]

Good job Oak. It's important to be doing something to introduce the youngsters to the outdoors.

 

[Oak]

What a great weekend. There were lots of highs, a few lows after missed shots, but in the end all six kids got their pronghorn.

I hunted with a 13 year old named Will, and his dad Mike. Will and his family moved out here from Georgia last year. He has shot a couple of whitetail from blinds in Georgia, but this would be the first big game hunt out west for both he and his dad. Will is the nicest kid you'll ever meet...very polite and knows how to follow instructions. He's also deadly with his .243!

The rules of these hunts require the mentors to keep the kids' shots inside 150 yards, and only at broadside standing animals. That can be a challenge with youngsters who have little experience and skittish pronghorn that have been hunted for 3 weeks. However, if 6 kids from 12 to 15 years old can get it done in 2 days, I'd say that the myth of long range shooting being required for pronghorn hunting is dispelled.

Will and I got out for a quick hunt Friday evening and managed to stalk to within 100 yards of a herd of antelope. When we got to looking at them closely we realized that there were 2 bucks and 3 fawns. One of the fawns would have been legal on Will's doe tag, but he said that he preferred to take a mature doe so we let that herd go.

On Saturday morning we worked on one herd for about 1 1/2 hours, getting in range or nearly in range several times. Each time something messed up our plan and we had to make a new one. Finally we intercepted the herd after spooking them. Will was all set up on his shooting sticks when the herd ran into view on the opposite hillside at 141 yards. He asked me if the lead animal was a mature doe and I told him she was. When she stopped, I told him he could shoot whenever he was ready. About 2 seconds later his rifle cracked, the doe ran about 30 yards and tipped over. Will couldn't have placed a shot more perfectly behind her shoulder if the range had been 10 feet.

Here's the happy hunter and proud dad:

 

[Big Fin]

Great story, Oak. Congrats to you, and to Will. That is a way to make some future hunters, for sure.

 

[mtmiller]

Very cool Terry. You got a good picture of the results as well. I am sure it will be a great memory for both of them.

 

[schmalts]

great that you helped out these young hunters. Last weekend I took out a youth hunter one morning but his excitement got the best of him and his whispering turned to a loud talk and the big doe I had him on got smart real fast and bolted. Still fun though.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Very cool Terry. You got a good picture of the results as well. I am sure it will be a great memory for both of them.

It will be a while before those 2 realize they had a master of the hero shot with them that day.