Youth learn about pheasant hunting, getting permission from landowners

• Pheasant hunters

Those participating in the Pheasants Forever Youth Mentor Hunt included (back row, left to right) Derek Spencer, Bryce Doty, Riley Doty, Gunnar Aas, Taylor Benham; (front row, left to right) “Leo” the black lab, “Belle” the brittany spaniel and Grita Aas. (Contributed photo)
• Young hunter

Taylor Benham carefully watched a dog during Saturday’s youth pheasant hunt. (Contributed photo)

Talk about it

The Douglas County Pheasants Forever chapter enjoyed a beautiful fall day for its Youth Mentor Hunt on Saturday, October 22.

Five kids, ages 12 to 14, took part along with their dads and even a grandpa.

The day started with a safety orientation and then the group learned about the importance of getting to know the landowner and acquiring permission.

Following the talk with the landowner, the group ventured out into the heavy grasslands, watching the dogs search for pheasants.

“What a day!” said Dean Krebs, president of Douglas County Pheasants Forever. “The weather was actually too warm for hunting – if you can believe that. We sure wore out the kids and the dogs!”

Douglas County Pheasants Forever would like to thank Gary Ellis and Jerry Krebs, the landowners who granted permission to hunt on their property to these kids.

“Although we didn’t see as many as we have in years past, it was great to see some pheasants; that is a tribute to the habitat work that has been done on these farms,” Krebs said.

“None of the kids on this year’s hunt had ever harvested a pheasant and all of the kids harvested their first rooster on this hunt,” said Mark Hill, vice president of the local Pheasants Forever. “It was a thrill to be a part of a very special day for them.”

Tags: local news, country, outdoors, hunting, pheasant