Youth mentor hunt draws 18 on chilly day

    The Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever Chapter hosted its 19th annual Youth Mentor Hunt on Saturday.
    The format was modified this year with nine youths and mentors attending a morning session and another nine youths at an afternoon session.
    Each youth was paired up with an adult mentor as they went through educational sessions on gun safety and handling, trapshooting and hunting rules/regulations.
    Afterwards, the groups went to the field to hunt with a dog handler and their dog or dogs.  Those that harvested pheasants were able to clean them there and take them home.
    Of the 18 youths attending, five had not hunted before, said Heather Francis, chapter president.  
    “We had three youths who had the opportunity to shoot at a bird but did not harvest a bird. Most of the youths this year have hunted deer (archery or firearm) or waterfowl. Most of the youths have not actively hunted upland game birds,” Francis said.
    Heather expressed thanks to the parents who allowed their children to participate in the outdoor event.  
    “A huge thank-you goes out to all the mentors, dog handlers, organizers, donors and volunteers who helped make this event successful in spite of the cold temperatures,” she said.
    Out of 19 years sponsoring the youth mentor hunt, this is only the third time that coats and layers were needed all day long, she added.  
    In all 19 years, 280 youths have attended since the first hunt in 2001.  
    Shad Wiese of Palisade is the chapter’s youth chairman.