Heather Francis | Courtesy Photo
Youths at Saturday’s mentor hunt were, front from left, Rambler Farr, Zariah Carman, Gavyn Maris, Forest Greene, Parker Terryberry, Alex Nelson, Teagan Fitzpatrick, Spencer Kelley, Kaci Burke, DJ Stamm and Cacen Hicks. Their mentors, back from left, included Eron Kitt, Taylor Maxfield, Steve Haskins, Eric Gonzalez, Carter Leibbrandt, Mike Farr, Gene Bartels, Bert Maxfield, Ashlin Bussell, Perry Vetter and Tyler Oxford.
Youth mentor event offers valuable info, chance to hunt
For 21 years, youths in the area have been receiving an early look at the sport of hunting.
That’s thanks to the Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever Chapter, which organizes a youth mentor hunt every fall on the Saturday before Nebraska’s statewide pheasant season opener.
This year’s hunt last Saturday drew 11 youths, 11 mentors, a host of presenters and dog handlers.
The day’s activities were held at the PF Youth Memorial Park, west of Champion.
Heather Francis, PF chapter president, said youths received a lot of valuable information from the presenters before they headed out into the field with an adult mentor and dog handlers to bag a pheasant.
Presenters and their topics included:
Dave Hogsett: Trapshooting and Gun Safety
Dr. Troy Worth, Vet Services: Dog First Aid and Health
Ed Lee: Landowner permission session—youths had to ask permission to hunt on his property.
Heather Francis: Wildlife Habitat and Plant ID
Sophie Gobber: Nebraska Conservation Officer, Nebraska Hunting Regulations
Carter Leibbrandt: PF Chapter projects updates
Dave Oxford: Short order cook
Dogs handlers included Chris and Mike Pursley, Andrei Rodriguez, Megan McChesney, Owen Madden, Josh Burke, Sophie Gobber and Bert Maxfield.
Shad Wiese and Casey Francis helped coordinate the day’s events with Heather Francis.
DJ Stamm, one of the 11 youths at the hunt, won a lifetime hunting permit, Francis said.
Veterinary Services provided gift bags for three of the dog handlers.
Over the years, 304 youth have attended the SW chapter’s hunts. Francis said Most youths that attended have hunted deer, but not all have hunted upland birds.