Courtesy photo
Youth mentor hunt graduates include, front row from left, in vests Aaron Sinclair, Gunner Cox, Barrett Frecks, Bennet Wiese, Attley Wiese, Dietrich Pursley and Braxton Chubb. Alumni graduates who volunteered at event, back from left, include Kreyton Wiese, Casey Francis, Daniel Hogsett, Kaden Dorn, Kris Burke, Parker Terryberry, Ashlin Bussell, Carter Leibbrandt, Andrei Rodriguez, Westyn Mendenhall, Sean Heermann, Jason Nelson and Schyler Heathers.
Pheasants Forever 22nd annual Youth Mentor Hunt successful
On Oct. 21, 2023, the Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever Chapter held its 22nd annual Youth Mentor Hunt. There were seven participants, aged 12 to 15, who attended along with adult volunteers who helped make this event a huge success. The chapter has had 311 youth graduates from the Youth Mentor Program locally since 2001.
Each youth was teamed with a mentor to work with them one-on-one throughout the day’s activities. Mentors helped teach safety through several activities including shooting blue rock, Plant ID, wildlife habitat cover, asking permission to hunt from a landowner, and bird-cleaning. Representatives from the Nebraska Game and Parks instructed youth about hunting rules and regulations.
The highlight of the day was a live pheasant hunt that occurred at various locations on private land owned by several landowners as well as hunting public access property enrolled in Open Fields & Waters (OFW) in the Champion area. The youth, guided by their mentors, experienced a realistic field hunting experience using bird dogs controlled by a dog handler.
After the morning educational sessions, the Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever Chapter provided lunch for everyone. Those who completed the youth hunt received a hunting vest provided by a partnership of Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. All in all, it was a very successful day full of education, sportsmanship, and fun. Southwestern Nebraska’s chapter members and volunteers provided the presentations and food.
This event was made possible by contributions during th annual banquet. The next banquet will take place on Feb. 24, 2024. There will be games, raffles, a dinner, and a live auction. All proceeds from the event will help fund youth hunt and habitat projects in Chase and Dundy counties.