Law enforcement
Posted Tuesday, 25 September 2012 00:00
DAVIS COUNTY — Thirty lucky kids between the ages of 12 and 15 were selected to participate in the second annual Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 22, 2012. The Utah Waterfowl Association and the Utah Conservation Officer's Association partnered to host the event at the Division of Wildlife Resources Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and other locations throughout Davis and Weber Counties.
The Utah Waterfowl Association provided 25 experienced waterfowl hunters, who volunteered their time and served as mentoring guides. Ten conservation officers participated in the hunt in one capacity or another. Some also acted as mentoring guides.
"Believe it or not, some kids who have an interest in hunting and have completed hunter education training never get the opportunity to actually go hunting because they don't have anyone experienced to take them," said DWR Sergeant Keith Fullenkamp.
"It takes a hunter to make a hunter. Everyone needs someone to show them the ropes to get started right."
The hunt focused on the great tradition of waterfowl hunting and exposing kids to the outdoors. A special emphasis was placed on learning how to hunt waterfowl safely and correctly, while also having fun and making friends. Youth hunters had the opportunity to hunt from mud motor boats and airboats. Some had the chance to hunt on private duck hunting clubs. For many of the kids, this was their first hunt or their first duck harvest.
A post-hunt barbeque sponsored by Widow Maker Boats and the Utah Conservation Officer's Association awaited the participants at Farmington Bay Learning Center. Hunting tales were swapped and photos were shared.
"A special thanks goes out to the mentors of the hunt. They donated their personal time, boats, decoys, and dogs to make this hunt happen," said Fullenkamp.
