The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s 2008 recommendation for the harvest of antlerless deer and youth weekend deer season was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 9th. The proposal calls for a harvest of 7,662 antlerless deer through a combination of either-sex hunting during the split archery season, an either-sex youth weekend hunt, and through the use of 22,050 muzzleloader season antlerless permits. Typically, 80 percent of the antlerless harvest is adult does, so this amount would be less than 10 percent of the adult doe population.

All WMUs will be open to the taking of antlerless deer during the two-part archery season except WMUs D2 and E. Opening of WMUs I and L is designed to remove overabundant antlerless deer at the western edges of those WMUs. Two deer may be taken during archery season with two archery licenses. One legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state during archery season. In WMUs open to antlerless deer hunting, both deer during the archery season may be antlerless deer.

Youth deer weekend is recommended to be an either-sex season statewide. Bucks may have antlers of any size or shape during this season.

The 22,050 muzzleloader season antlerless permits are for 14 of the 24 WMUs, an increase of 11,000 permits from 2006. The permit increases are focused on WMUs with the highest deer densities and primarily west of the Green Mountains where winter severity was below average.

The increase in antlerless deer hunting permits is in response to growing deer numbers and is designed to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. The total antlerless harvest with this proposal is estimated at 7,662 deer. Last year, 5,516 antlerless deer were taken by hunters.

Vermont’s lead deer biologist, Dr. Shawn Haskell points out that Vermont’s deer population has increased more than expected along the western side of the state and in the East-central region in WMUs H1, H2, J1 and J2. The deer herd seems to be healthier than it has been in the past 50 years. Thus, reproductive potential in the past few years has been explosive.

“If we send as many deer as we had last December into a severe winter next year, I would expect more of them to die than did this year,” said Haskell. “We also don’t want to severely damage winter habitat and lose our ability to support a healthy deer herd going into the future.” Haskell says Vermont’s deer have not only increased in number but also in size. Fawns taken in the 2007 hunting season weighed an average five pounds heavier than they did ten years ago.

He also reports that the antler regulation change that began in 2005 is contributing to more older bucks being in the population and increased hunter satisfaction. Population and harvest data suggest that twice as many bucks survived the 2007 harvest compared to any of the past ten years, and that about half of the bucks harvested in 2007 were two years-old.

The proposed 2008 season regulations include returning to the three-deer annual limit that existed prior to 2005 to allow more hunting opportunity. About 200-400 deer were taken by hunters who took three deer in those prior seasons. The chance to continue hunting after taking two deer, however, encourages hunters to get out more, especially during the December muzzleloader season for those hunters fortunate enough to draw an antlerless deer permit by lottery. It also encourages hunters to take a second deer earlier, either in archery or November rifle season. This improves the department’s ability to manage deer. The definition of a “legal buck” remains unchanged as any white-tailed deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer.

The entire proposal, including a map showing the number of permits proposed in WMUs, is posted on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website “href=”http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com”>ww.vtfishandwildlife.com. The Board voted to approve the proposal as recommended. As with all Board regulations, there will be two more votes at coming monthly meetings.

Antlerless permit applications should be available in late June or early July on Fish & Wildlife’s website and at license agents. The deadline to apply will be August 22.

Wildlife, shooting, civic or fraternal organizations interested in applying for a grant designed to encourage youth hunting participation or training must submit an application to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by Dec. 31.

Grant funds will help cover event expenses, including promotional printing; event memorabilia such as shirts, caps or vests; ammunition and targets, and eye and ear protection. Grants can also be used for shooting range improvement or development.

Nonprofit organizations registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office to provide public service are eligible to apply. The organization must have officers, a treasury account, liability coverage and private locations to conduct events.

For more information or to receive application materials, contact Nathaniel Umphrey, Game and Fish Department outreach biologist in Bismarck, at 701-328-6332, or by email at numphrey@nd.gov.

Taking his or her first deer or turkey is a landmark event in a young hunter’s life. The Missouri Department of Conservation helps turn those milestones into mementoes.

The Conservation Department’s First Deer/Turkey Program gives participants free commemorative certificates suitable for framing. If the application includes a photograph of the hunter with his or her first deer or turkey, the photo is incorporated into the certificate. Photos are returned with certificates.

The tangible recognition of young hunters’ achievements provide permanent reminders that can either substitute for or complement a taxidermist’s mount.

The Conservation Department issues more than 600 First Deer and First Turkey certificates every year.

Any hunter age 15 or younger who kills his or her first deer or turkey can get a certificate. You can download an application by visiting www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/deer/index.htm and clicking on “First Deer Hunting Award,” or www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/turkey/index.htm . Or contact First Deer/Turkey Certificate, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, phone 573/522-4115, ext. 3293.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking submissions for its first-ever “Youth Hunting Memories Contest.”

Bagged game is not a requirement. A photo isn’t even a requirement. Fish & Wildlife is looking for short essays, stories, poems, art or pictures from young hunters describing their time while hunting. Each youth may submit only one story, and it can be from any hunting experience in Vermont. The top fourteen entries from youths will win a Beagle Outdoor Wear fanny pack, fish and wildlife hat and the state’s Guide to the Wildlife Management Areas of Vermont.

The contest is open to youth younger than 16, and submissions must be received by 4:30 p.m. December 15, 2007. Entries will be judged by George Crombie, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary, and Wayne Laroche, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner.

“The future of hunting in Vermont is with our children. This contest will showcase the experiences of Vermont’s youth hunters,” said George Crombie. “I’m anxious to read their stories about spending quality time outdoors with their family and taking part in a cultural tradition that dates back to when Vermont’s hillsides were first settled.”

Young hunters are encouraged to send in photographs with their story. Submissions will not be returned, and the agency reserves the right to publish photos or stories that it wishes. Currently, the Fish & Wildlife Department publishes pictures and stories of youth hunters on its web site (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Submissions must include: hunter’s first and last name, postal mailing address, age, telephone number, and location of hunt.

Email submissions to Ann.Shangraw@state.vt.us or mail to:

2007 Youth Hunting Memories Contest
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
103 South Main St., Bldg 10 South
Waterbury, VT 05671-0501

Oklahoma youth have an opportunity this fall to apply for one of several waterfowl hunts sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The hunts are designed to provide youth who do not have an adult mentor who waterfowl hunts an opportunity to experience the traditions of waterfowling.

“Taking our youth hunting is a very important part of keeping our hunting traditions strong, not to mention the sport can draw individuals and families closer together. These waterfowl hunts provide a way for Oklahomans to do just that,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “We hope the kids who go on these hunts develop an interest in wildlife conservation, and discover the lifelong hobby of hunting as well.”

Applicants must be 12 to 15 years of age, have proof of successfully completing a certified hunter education course and have an adult guardian who can accompany them on the hunt.

A Wildlife Department employee will accompany each youth and their adult guardian for the controlled waterfowl hunt at one of several Department-managed areas. Only the youth hunter will be allowed to hunt.

To be eligible for the drawing, each youth applicant and their guardian may apply only once and must provide the following information on a 3×5 postcard: names, addresses, telephone numbers, youth’s hunter education number, and the name of the desired hunt location and two alternate hunt locations where they would like to hunt. The scheduled date of the hunt will be coordinated with successful applicants after the drawing.

Hunt locations include Altus-Lugert Lake, Canton Lake, Ft. Gibson Refuge, Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge, Hackberry Flat Refuge, Vann’s Lake, Wagoner Co., Webbers Falls Refuge, and Wister Lake Refuge.

Applications must be received by November 15, 2007, and should be mailed to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Youth Waterfowl Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Successful applicants will be notified.

The Wildlife Department will provide successful applicants the necessary nontoxic shotgun shells, and a 20 gauge single shot shotgun will be available for use if the youth does not have his or her own shotgun. For more information, contact Jeff Neal, Wildlife Department migratory game bird technician at (405) 424-0122.

Additionally, youth ages 14 or 15 years of age have another opportunity to participate in a special two-day waterfowl hunt coordinated by the Wildlife Department. The hunt will take place Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 21 on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian.

Thursday will be a field day, where youth will participate in several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting safety, decoy placement, waterfowl identification, shotgun shooting and retriever training.

On Friday, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

Participants must apply for the hunt by mailing an application to the Refuge Headquarters by Nov. 1. Call the Refuge at (918) 773-5252 for more information.

Young deer hunters will have their own opportunity for success on Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28, 2007, when New Hampshire’s youth deer hunt is held.  This special weekend gives young people statewide the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters. Accompanying adults must be licensed hunters and are not allowed to carry a firearm, so that they can devote all of their time and attention to coaching their young companions.

Prospects for this year’s youth season are excellent, according to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.  Gustafson notes that New Hampshire’s deer population is very healthy.   In 2006, young hunters took 668 deer during the youth weekend, a dramatic increase from the 326 deer taken in 2005 and surpassing the previous youth weekend record of 334 deer taken in 2003. 

“The weekend is a chance to introduce young people, under the careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting,” said Gustafson.  “You can build bonds for a lifetime while tracking a whitetail through the autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of the forest from a treestand.  We hope hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and daughters, grandchildren or young friends, helping them learn what hunting is all about.”

Gustafson notes that hunting can help youngsters learn about the environment, conservation, tradition and ethics, and gain an appreciation for the wildlife and wild places of New Hampshire. 

The basics of New Hampshire’s youth hunting weekend for deer are as follows:

• Youths must be under 16 years of age to participate; they do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter education requirement. Both resident and nonresident youth may take part.
  Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license.
  Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise.
  Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under 16 years of age.
  A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend.
  Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game; any deer taken constitutes the one deer allowed by muzzleloader or regular firearms per year.
  All deer need to be registered, as required during the regular season; youths should tag their deer using the tag found inside the back cover of the 2007-2008 Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents statewide or on the Fish and Game website at www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm (click here and on orange icon).
  Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game laws relative to hunting deer.

New Hampshire has offered a special youth deer hunt since 1999.  It also offers youth weekends for waterfowl hunting in the early fall and for wild turkey in the spring.  The special weekends are part of the reason New Hampshire New Hampshire ranks third nationally for youth hunting participation, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

For more details on hunting in New Hampshire, click here.

For information on other youth hunt weekends in New Hampshire, click here.

For online license and permit sales, click here.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.

Young deer hunters will have their own opportunity for success on Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28, 2007, when New Hampshire’s youth deer hunt is held. This special weekend gives young people statewide the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters. Accompanying adults must be licensed hunters and are not allowed to carry a firearm, so that they can devote all of their time and attention to coaching their young companions.

Prospects for this year’s youth season are excellent, according to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Gustafson notes that New Hampshire’s deer population is very healthy. In 2006, young hunters took 668 deer during the youth weekend, a dramatic increase from the 326 deer taken in 2005 and surpassing the previous youth weekend record of 334 deer taken in 2003. 

“The weekend is a chance to introduce young people, under the careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting,” said Gustafson. ”You can build bonds for a lifetime while tracking a whitetail through the autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of the forest from a treestand. We hope hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and daughters, grandchildren or young friends, helping them learn what hunting is all about.”

Gustafson notes that hunting can help youngsters learn about the environment, conservation, tradition and ethics, and gain an appreciation for the wildlife and wild places of New Hampshire. 

The basics of New Hampshire’s youth hunting weekend for deer are as follows:

• Youths must be under 16 years of age to participate; they do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter education requirement. Both resident and nonresident youth may take part.
• Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license.
• Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise.
  Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under 16 years of age.
• A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend.
• Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game; any deer taken constitutes the one deer allowed by muzzleloader or regular firearms per year.
• All deer need to be registered, as required during the regular season; youths should tag their deer using the tag found inside the back cover of the 2007-2008 Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents statewide or on the Fish and Game website at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm.
• Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game laws relative to hunting deer.

New Hampshire has offered a special youth deer hunt since 1999. It also offers youth weekends for waterfowl hunting in the early fall and for wild turkey in the spring. The special weekends are part of the reason New Hampshire New Hampshire ranks third nationally for youth hunting participation, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

For more details on hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

Kansas has passed a law that will create an apprentice hunting license for older youth and adults. On April 18, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed SB 192, a revision of Kansas hunter education requirement that will allow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to establish an apprentice hunting license. The apprentice hunting license will allow persons 16 years and older who have not already taken a hunter education course to hunt only through the calendar year in which it is purchased. The apprentice must be accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or older.
“The apprentice hunting license is intended to recruit new hunters,” says KDWP statewide Hunter Education Program coordinator Wayne Doyle. “It will allow hunters to try hunting before they invest in the time required to take a hunter education course. If they enjoy their experience and want to hunt the following season, they must take hunter education.
“This goes back to the recruitment and retention program that [former KDWP secretary] Steve Williams started,” Doyle continues. “We thought that this was one of the efforts needed to remove barriers to hunting, and it’s been very successful in other states, including Texas. We modeled our program on theirs.”
The new Kansas law received strong support from the National Rifle Association’s Safety and Education Program. Data from states that have implemented such initiatives reveal that apprentice hunting license programs brought nearly 34,000 new hunters, both children and adults, to the field in 2006, and none of these license holders was involved in an accident. Lawmakers in California, Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon are considering similar legislation.
SB 192 also eliminates the requirement for bowhunter education for youngsters 14 and younger.

Today’s youth have lots of things they can do with their time.
In addition to family, school and even jobs, today’s young people have nearly unlimited access to all forms of activities and entertainment. More traditional leisure time activities, such as fishing and hunting, are taking a backseat to Xboxes and MP3 players.
There are many reasons for this shift, but hunter and angler groups of the Upper Snake Region have joined forces to offer youths a chance to experience a variety of outdoor activities on Saturday, May 19, at Beaver Dick Park on Highway 33 outside Rexburg.
While Idaho is outdoor paradise, with all kinds of opportunity for fishing, hunting, trapping and horse packing, many young people don’t know how to make the initial contact to get started.
Activities the whole family enjoyed have failed to make the jump to the youngest generation. It seems no one in the family knows how to do the activity any more, or lacks the gear, but more than likely doesn’t have the time to get out.
Hunter and angler groups in the Upper Snake Region have taken the step to reach out to young people. Many of these outdoor enthusiasts may look rugged on the outside, but on the inside they have a tender spot for the activities they love, and they want to make sure the traditions carry on.
The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Everyone who takes part in at least six of the mini-seminars will be entered in a drawing for a new rifle. The seminars are all free and will cover such topics as fishing, archery, trapping, turkey calling, muzzleloading, hound dogging, horse and llama packing and falconry.
A trailer with a portable laser shooting gallery also will be on hand for youngsters to test their skills.
Beaver Dick Park’s location on the banks of the Henry’s Fork and right next to Idaho Fish and Game’s Cartier Slough Wildlife Management Area, means that youths are guaranteed a chance to enjoy all the area has to offer.
Children of all ages are welcome and families are encouraged to attend. There is sure to be something for everyone, and the goal is to get more people out to enjoy the great outdoors of Idaho.
For information call IDFG at 208-525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 .

LEWISTON - Pursuing ring-necked pheasants await young hunters who sign up for a youth pheasant hunting clinic scheduled for Saturday, November 4 in Lewiston.
“This clinic is intended to increase the interest young people have in upland game hunting and wildlife conservation,” says Jay Roach, North Idaho Chapter President of Pheasants Forever. “This event will be a lot of fun. The kids don’t have to compete, and those who have participated in the past have really enjoyed it.”
The clinic is free and intended for first-time hunters 12 through 15 years of age who have already completed a hunter education course and hold a valid Idaho hunting license. An adult supervisor must accompany each young hunter throughout the clinic.
Along with hunting pheasants, each participant will learn about wildlife conservation, dog handling, and will be able to hone their marksmanship skills shooting sporting clays. There will be special emphasis on safety, ethics, sportsmanship and hunting traditions.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. Youth wishing to participate should contact the Clearwater Region office at 799-5010 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1. Detailed information will be provided to those who register in advance. No walk-ins will be accepted.
Sponsors include the Pheasants Forever, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Snake River Gun Dog and Sportsmen’s Association, Lewiston Gun Club, and Clearwater Point Dog Club.

PIERRE, S.D. - Youth will be served on Saturday as young hunters get the first shot at the state’s pheasant population.
The state’s two-day youth pheasant season will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8. Shooting hours are noon Central Daylight Time until sunset both days.
Pheasant hunting is open to eligible young hunters statewide on private and public land including Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. During this short season, all public road rights-of-way will be closed to hunting except for those adjacent to public lands.
“To be eligible for this hunt, both resident and nonresident youngsters must meet South Dakota’s eligibility requirements,” said GFP Regional Law Enforcement Specialist Dave Wicks of Watertown. “It’s also advisable for all young hunters and the adults who accompany them to wear at least one exterior garment of fluorescent orange.”
Eligibility requirements include:
Being 12 to 15 years old or turning 12 years old on or before Dec. 31.
Possessing a valid Hunter Safety Certificate.
Possessing a South Dakota youth small game license.
Being accompanied by an adult who is not carrying a firearm.
The daily limit is three roosters during the youth season with a possession limit of six taken according to the daily limit.
Nontoxic shot is required on most public lands with the exception of GFP Walk-In Areas, U.S. Forest Service National Grasslands and state School and Public Lands.
“It’s important to remember that birds must be transported properly,” said Wicks. “That means pheasants must have a full-feathered head or wing or one leg with a foot attached during transport.”

Youth Waterfowl Hunt September 23, 2006
Youth Squirrel Hunt September 30, 2006
Young hunters will have two opportunities to get an early start on the fall hunting seasons in West Virginia this September. West Virginia’s youth waterfowl hunt has been set for Saturday, September 23, 2006, and the youth squirrel hunt is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2006, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Section.
“These special youth hunts provide an excellent opportunity to introduce youngsters to the hunting heritage of West Virginians,” said Taylor. “The mild days of early fall are a great time to be afield with young hunters and to pass on to them the traditions of safe hunting and wildlife conservation.”
Youth squirrel hunters must be less than 15 years of age on the day of the hunt. Youth hunters do not need hunting licenses; however, they must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older. The supervising adult may not hunt or carry a firearm or bow and must remain near enough to the youth to render advice and assistance. The daily bag limit for the squirrel hunt is the same as during the regular season .
Youth who are less than 16 years of age on September 23, 2006 may participate in the youth waterfowl hunt. Youth hunters, age 14 and under, are not required to have a hunting license. Those who have reached their 15th birthday must possess a valid state hunting license and HIP registration card, or be a qualified resident landowner. The youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age. Landowners over 15 years of age are required to carry a valid federal duck stamp.
For additional information, hunters should check the 2006-2007 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2006-2007 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. These publications are available at all license agents, DNR offices and the DNR’s Web site at www.wvdnr.gov.

SALEM - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced a series of youth turkey hunting clinics, scheduled at sites throughout Oregon.
Conducted by the Oregon Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, and ODFW’s Education Services Section, the clinics will cover safety, turkey calling, shotgun patterning, camouflage, and scouting tactics.
Programs are offered at the following locations:
April 1: White River Wildlife Area
March 11: Douglas Ridge Rifle Club
April 1: Emerald Empire Gun Club
“The Oregon Hunters Association and National Wild Turkey Federation volunteers have done a fantastic job pulling together all the pieces for these events,” said Kenn Condon, ODFW Education Services Section Manager. “We appreciate the continued strong support of hunting association partners to make hunting safe, fun, and accessible for all Oregonians.”
Participants are not required to have hunter education certification to participate in the events, but participants younger than 18 will need to complete hunter education before participating in the spring turkey hunting season.
For more information about registration, times and locations, contact Myrna Britton at 503-947-6028 or by email at myrna.b.britton@state.or.us.

Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center hosts three wildlife camps
COVINGTON, Ga. - If you would like to encourage your child’s “wild” behavior this summer - here is the perfect opportunity, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division . The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center is hosting three “Wildlife Camps” to provide wildlife education and outdoor safety training in a dynamic environment for young boys and girls. There are two wildlife camps for youth age 10-15, to be held June 25-30 and July 9-14, 2006. In addition, there is an Advanced Wildlife Camp available for youth age 11-16 from July 16-21,2006. The goal of the wildlife camp is to teach young boys and girls about outdoor sports and safety and to increase their awareness and appreciation of wildlife. Registration is open, but space is limited - so call now!
“Today’s youth need to be taught the importance of wildlife management and the role that outdoor sports play in preserving the health of many species in Georgia,” says FFA-FCCLA Center Director Todd Teasley. “This camp provides the opportunity to teach wildlife conservation in an interactive and exciting environment.”
The weeklong residential wildlife camp will center on firearms and hunter safety . Participants will receive their Hunter Safety Certification and will have opportunities to demonstrate safe firearms use with instructors. In addition, attendees will enjoy fishing, outdoor cooking, deer stand safety and construction, canoeing and wildlife instruction.
The Advanced Wildlife Camp is for youth who already have their hunter safety certification. Opportunities during this weeklong camp include bow hunting, survival, wildlife education, firearms and firearm maintenance, and ATV Safety.
Campers are divided by age group and stay with the same group throughout the entire week. All programs are designed to be ‘hands-on’ and geared toward the age of the participants. Recreation facilities at the camp include a swimming pool, miniature golf, ping-pong and basketball. The cost is only $275 per camper, which includes lodging, meals, instruction, recreation and a t-shirt.
The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center, situated on over five hundred acres of rolling hills, woodlands and fields combines a picturesque atmosphere with all of the facilities necessary for an educational and memory making experience. It is a non-profit educational facility designed with the purpose of providing the youth of Georgia with a site for leadership and career development. Started in 1937 as a camp for rural youth, it has evolved into a premier camp facility and conference center for the FFA and FCCLA Organizations, as well as many other youth and adult organizations.
Sponsorship is needed for awards and door prizes and volunteers are needed to help with the camp. If you would like to assist in sponsorship opportunities, volunteer or for more information on the Wildlife Camp, contact Shannon Miles with the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center at 786-6926, ext. 8, ShannonLMiles@aol.com or visit www.wildlifecamp.com.

West Virginia’s Archery in the Schools program training scheduled March 28th and 29th in Pocahontas County
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will be hosting its next training for the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School in Pocahontas County on March 28th and 29th, according to Scott Warner, Program Coordinator.
DNR implemented this program two years ago in 19 schools around West Virginia to introduce physical education students to a program that has attracted interest from thousands of schools in 26 states across the country. Over the past year there has been a tremendous amount of interest from schools around West Virginia, allowing the program to quadruple in size. Currently, 112 physical fitness instructors from 78 schools around the state have successfully completed the Level I Certification as required to participate in the program.
“From the beginning, schools from Pocahontas County have been very interested in participating in this program,” said Warner. “However, because of scheduling commitments with other trainings it wasn’t until recently that we were able to host a training session in their county. At this time, it looks like the majority of the schools in Pocahontas County will be attending, and DNR would also like to welcome other schools from surrounding counties to attend.”
Due to the type of training and amount of time needed for hands-on-instructions, classroom size will be limited, so physical education instructors interested in attending have until March 15th to sign up.
“DNR thanks the schools in Pocahontas County for their interest in participating in this program,” said Warner. “We especially thank Ruth Bland, Principal at Green Bank Elementary/ Middle School, for the continued interest in getting this program started in Pocahontas County and allowing us to host this training at her school.”
For additional information on the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program or to attend this training, visit DNR’s Web site at www.wvdnr.gov or call 558-2771.

Kids who love the outdoors will want to turn in their application to attend the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Wildlife Youth Camp. Youth interested in wildlife, fisheries and law enforcement can have fun and learn a thing or two at the weeklong camp, which is conducted each year by wildlife professionals including game wardens and biologists.
“It is one of my favorite events of the year. The camp is a great opportunity for kids to learn what wildlife professionals do on a day to day to basis. And the thing parents will like the most - it’s absolutely free,” said Jon Cunningham, camp coordinator and Oklahoma game warden stationed in Payne County.
Scheduled June 11-16 at Camp McFadden near Ponca City, the camp is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to 16. Applicants must turn 14 prior to June 11, 2006. Participants will attend courses in firearms handling, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries biology, water safety, self-defense, rifle and shotgun training, waterfowl hunting and archery.
The camp is free of charge, but will be limited to 35 participants. Applicants should be interested in fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a 75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp, why they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person of their choice other than a family member.
The application deadline is April 28. To obtain applications, contact the Wildlife Department’s Law Enforcement Division at P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or call 521-3719. Applications may also be available from local wardens or from the Wildlife Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/youthcamp.htm. Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with the essay and letter of recommendation.