Youth Hunt

October 11, 2008 The PA Game Commission started the Youth Hunt in 2002. I have been taking kids and their adult companions hunting pheasants with my GSPs every year. I have introduced many first time hunters to the exciting experience of walking up to a pointing GSP and have the pheasant flush from in front of the dog. My brother, who has one of my GSPs, has been helping to accommodate more young hunters. I encourage all hunters that own trained bird dogs to actively recruit for the Youth Hunt. My hunting buddy Bill drives 3 hours to go along and help. One year one of the kids' dads couldn't go and Bill was "Dad" for a day. We enjoy the Youth Hunt as much as "Opening Day." As only the youth are permitted to shoot, we can watch the dogs work and encourage the shooters. If you own dogs, get involved -- you won't regret it. You also will meet some fine young men/ladies in the process.

Email us if you have a young hunter interested in participating in the Youth Hunt. We will give you the information about our methods and requirements and answer any questions. I take hunters on a "first come, choice of times" basis. As there is a limit on the number of hunters we can accommodate, please inquire as soon as possible.

I don't know how to state the enjoyment I receive when the kids that I take out shoot their first pheasant.When Annie found the pheasant Ben shot, his expression said it all. That was his first Ringneck Rooster. He wouldn't have gotten it without the dogs. The bird ran a long way from where it landed after the shot.

This year, the kids shot a total of 15 pheasants. This was the most birds shot over our dogs since the beginning of the Youth Hunt. As any true sportsman realizes, the quantity of game bagged is not the measure of a hunt. The time spent in the outdoors, watching the dogs work and the camraderie of fellow hunters is the true meaning of our sport. Bagging game is a bonus, much appreciated when it is cooked and eaten. The memories of the successes and, yes, the misses will live with us for many years. I thank God and the many breeders of the past that gave us these wonderful animals. We own these dogs, but, they own us in return.

More Youth Hunt Photos

A Letter of Invitation

In 2002 the Youth Pheasant Hunt was added to the Hunting Seasons. I had a young hunter that wanted to try hunting as his family was not active in our sport. When we arrived at the State Game Land, number 193, there was another young hunter and his Dad waiting for the starting time. I talked to the father and discovered that October 11, 2008 they didn't have a dog. I offered to take them along with us as I had 3 of my German Shorthair Pointers to find the birds. The father/son said that they would like to hunt with dogs and they joined our group.

As sometimes happens in October, there was a heavy fog that morning. Everyone was soaked from the waist down after a half hour into the weeds. The dogs found the birds, unfortunately the shooters were not on target that morning. We had a great time despite the weather.

Since that first Youth Hunt, I have actively recruited young hunters to hunt over my dogs. We had the Youth Hunters in the fields for five of the six days of the 2007 season. The young hunters had many opportunities to shoot the pointed pheasants as the Game Commission stocks plenty of birds in this area.

Contact me if you would like to hunt with my dogs. There is no charge for the hunt, but I have rules you must agree to follow.

I encourage hunters with trained bird dogs to actively recruit youngsters for the Youth Hunt. Hunters are statistically getting older; we need to help the youngsters that are interested in hunting get into the fields.

Good luck and hunt safely.

Jim