The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources kicked off its new youth hunting program, in which its Law Enforcement Section officers take kids hunting, with a squirrel hunt on Sept. 5. While they didn't bring any squirrels back, there were plenty of memories made for all involved and lots of lessons for the young hunters, writes The Trail Less Traveled columnist Larry Case.Frequent readers of my column know I'm always honest. Sometimes this isn't easy. There may be things you don't want to hear.
Most of you know I'm an avid hunter, that I believe in hunting and always will. We hear a lot these days about the importance of teaching children about hunting and perpetuating our hunting heritage. But is it really that important in today's world?
I'm not so sure. Proponents claim there are several good reasons to get your kids out in the woods and the hunting environment, that teaching them about the many aspects of hunting offers benefits in lots of areas of life. Let's look at some of these claims.
Hunting teaches kids about conservation. Is this really vital in today's modern world? I know hunters foot the bill for dozens of conservation projects, but this is 2015, for heaven's sake - is conservation really that important nowadays?
Hunting is a way of connecting to the outdoors. Again, is this important? Hunting and outdoors activities have been shown as a way to relax, lower blood pressure and obtain numerous other health benefits, but can't kids do the same thing playing video games?
Hunting can encourage you to be physically fit. Not that again. I mean, aren't you tired of all this talk about taking care of your health? Kids today probably get plenty of exercise running to the fridge for another grape soda.
Hunting develops traditions and connections with family. Well maybe, but isn't that whole family and traditions thing highly overrated?
Hunting teaches survival skills and dealing with adverse conditions. Can't kids get the same thing from watching TV programs like "Alone" and "The Walking Dead"?
Hunting teaches responsibility. The assertion is that learning to be safe with firearms; taking, processing and preparing game animals for the table; and learning to be an ethical hunter teaches responsibility. Well, I guess that may be true.
OK, for those of you sitting there with the edges of the paper crumpled up in your fists and your blood pressure rising, calm down - I'm trying to make a point. I thought if I showed this issue in another light, some people might pay a little more attention. Of course I think teaching kids about hunting is important and that young people (and older folks) can learn many good skills and life lessons from hunting.
Many of our states have great hunter education programs. The benefits of these classes are incalculable, as young people learn firearms safety, hunting ethics, care of game, wildlife identification and dozens of other valuable lessons. The problem is not every child who wants to go hunting has someone to take them.
I'm proud to say my old alma mater, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section, is sponsoring a new program for its officers to take young people hunting on special youth days.
They get to go hunting with the game warden. How cool is that?
"We see this new program as fulfilling a need to get our state's youngsters outside and to promote our state's hunting heritage," said Col. Jerry Jenkins, chief of the WVDNR Law Enforcement Section. "We are looking for young people across the state that our officers can mentor and help enjoy the coming fall hunting seasons."
The goals of the program are to preserve the state's hunting heritage for present and future generations; to promote the highest ethical standards in hunting; to give the state's youth an initial, positive, safe, educational and mentored hunting experience; to teach basic skills, values, techniques and responsibilities of hunting; and to teach participants practical conservation measures.
Program participants must be in the age range of 8-17 and submit an application. They also are required to complete the West Virginia hunter education course, have a valid West Virginia hunting license (if required) and have a completed release form signed by a parent or guardian.
"Youth who enter the program will learn how to hunt safely, legally and ethically," Jenkins said. "They also will learn how to track and field-dress game, appreciate nature firsthand and make new friends. We expect these youth hunts will provide experiences and memories that will last a lifetime for both the kids and the officers."
I feel like I was a little part of history as I was asked to join the very first youth day hunt with officers on Sept. 5 as they went after squirrels. Five young men (young ladies are welcome, too) were accompanied by several officers on what I thought was a very successful maiden voyage.
Did they shoot a lot of squirrels on this hunt? Nope, not one. (Temperatures were close to 90.) Did they take a big hike in the woods? Did they learn about everything from what squirrels and other animals eat to what signs they leave? Did they learn about gun safety? Absolutely. They even got to watch some first-rate squirrel dogs work.
Once, during a break I saw the whole bunch playing a fast-paced game of catch alongside an officer - with an invisible ball. (You had to be there.)
These boys had a great day in the field with their hosts, finishing with a hot dog cook-out. What a wonderful way for young hunters to be introduced to game officials for the first time, instead of the possible alternative.
Your state may have already started such a program. If not, maybe you want to suggest they do. I don't think an excessive amount of funds are needed for programs like this. Just the time and effort involved to take a kid hunting.
If your state doesn't have a program like this, you can take it upon yourself to mentor a young person in hunting. Take a look around you. They're out there.
Oh yeah, and we're good about that little trick I pulled there at first, right? I mean, I did it for your own good.
Honest, I did.
"The Trail Less Traveled" is written by Larry Case, who lives in Fayette County, W.Va., has been a devoted outdoorsman all of his life and is a contributing columnist for The Times Free Press. You can write to him at larryocase3@gmail.com.
The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources kicked off its new youth hunting program, in which its Law Enforcement Section officers take kids hunting, with a squirrel hunt on Sept. 5. While they didn't bring any squirrels back, there were plenty of memories made for all involved and lots of lessons for the young hunters, writes The Trail Less Traveled columnist Larry Case.