Southwest Nebraska Pheasants Forever chapter hosts second reunion hunt

The Southwest Nebraska Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter hosted its second Youth Mentor Reunion Hunt on Dec. 28.
Graduates from the chapter’s previous 19 years of Youth Mentor Hunt events were invited to reconnect and celebrate the success of the program, as well as share a day in the field.
The first annual Youth Mentor Hunt for the chapter was held in 2001 with 18 participants. Since then, 262 youths have graduated from the program in Imperial alone.
The reunion hunt was an idea that was brought up three years ago by a few chapter volunteers.
“The idea came about during a set up for one of our Youth Mentor Hunt events,” said Heather Francis, Chapter President and Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever.         “We wondered if the youths we mentored years ago are still hunting.”
Last month’s reunion started with a morning hunt on nearby public and private ground.
Twenty-eight hunters went to the field, in spite of the weather.
The evening concluded with a social hour to give participants a chance to connect. Approximately 40 people attended the social hour and soup supper.  
Four contests were also held for the hunt portion of the day; longest tailfeather, heaviest bird, most species harvested and longest spur.
“Events like this are exciting to see, especially during a time where hunter numbers are on the decline” said Kelsi Wehrman, PF Nebraska State Coordinator.
“This is a new way to address the national R3 effort; recruit, retain and reactivation of hunters and conservationists. The Southwest Nebraska PF Chapter approaches this challenge by reconnecting with these mentees and mentors in a unique way. We are excited to see what the future of this event holds,” she added.