On Saturday October 24, 2015, the Williams County chapter of Pheasants Forever held another successful, opening weekend youth pheasant hunt. It was a mild overcast day, perfect for a hunt, when Pheasants Forever invited 8 hunters (7 boys and 1 girl) ages 10 thru 15 for a day of hunting, shooting and friend making.
Headed up this year by Rob Caverly, youth hunters experienced being in the field while having bird dog’s work to find them a bird, actually a pheasant rooster. The hunters covered acres with the dogs working out in front of them to find a rooster. The dogs point to where the bird is at; the hunters move in and flush the bird. If it is a rooster, they try to put it in their bag limit; if they miss they send the dogs back out to find another. The dogs go do what they do, find another bird. Dog power was provided by Kevin Carlin and Jayson Scantlen, their dogs “Maggie” did a beautiful job at showing where the birds were.
Tom Kohert (retired) and Anthony Lemne, Ohio wildlife officers made an appearance to talk to and introduce themselves to the kids and wish them good luck on their hunt.
A safety meeting started out the day with gun handling, shooting zones, what to do with gun malfunctions and hunting with dogs in the field. Most of the hunters had received their education training in previous classes hosted by Pheasants Forever. Each hunter had an adult accompany them in the field for added safety and to find the hunters in the tall grass. For some of the hunters, this was their first time to hunt like this.
A clay target thrower was used to warm up the hunters and allow time for birds to be planted into the field before the day started and to keep the day moving as they waited for their chance in the field. Chili, cookies and drinks were provided by Pheasants Forever and prepared by Joni Scantlen. Good food kept the hunters and adults happy while they waited.
A total of 26 roosters were planted for the hunters, not all of the birds were bagged, but all the kids filled their bag.
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