NWA hosts second mentored hunt

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Submitted photo. The NWA held a Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 26-27. In total, 18 youth hunters, ages 12 to 16, took part.  

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The Neepawa Banner

The Neepawa Wildlife Association held their second annual Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt on September 26 and 27. A total of 18 youth hunters between the ages of 12 and 16 attended the event, which took place at the Franklin Memorial Hall. Some of the kids travelled from as far as Winnipeg and Russell to attend. 

The kids were taught the fundamentals of waterfowl hunting, including bird identification, resource laws and ethics, land owner permission/respect and firearm safety. Other activities included a retriever demonstration, decoy and equipment demonstrations and duck/goose calling. In preparation for Sunday morning’s hunt, the kids practiced shooting clay targets and getting comfortable handling a shotgun.    

With their newly acquired knowledge and skills, the kids took to the fields early Sunday morning with their mentors. The mentors were responsible for supervising and guiding the kids while in the field, but only the youth were allowed to shoot. Hunting conditions were great and everyone was eager to get at the birds. The kids brought back an impressive total of 14 geese and nine ducks! All the youth and mentors were thrilled with the outcome.   

Following the hunt, everyone sat down and shared hunting stories while enjoying a delicious goose and duck dinner. The entire event was a great success.

The NWA would like to extend a special thank-you to Minnedosa mentored hunt committee members Leland Bramley and Michael Kreshewski for donating $600 towards the NWA youth mentored hunt. Leland and Michael held a fundraiser for the Minnedosa mentored hunt, but the event was later cancelled, and the guys decided to donate the money to the Neepawa mentored hunt. Their generosity was greatly appreciated!    

The Neepawa Wildlife Association would like to thank all the mentors, volunteers and sponsors for their contributions towards a successful mentored hunt. Major sponsors included Ducks Unlimited Canada, Delta Waterfowl, Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship and the Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op Food Store. The association would also like to acknowledge Springhill Hutterite Colony, John Csversko, Ron Jones, and Bray Farms Ltd. for allowing the kids to hunt on their property. This event would not have been possible otherwise.

If you are interested in participating in the mentored hunt program or would like to become a member of the Neepawa Wildlife Association, please contact Mike Krutkewich at 204-841-0632 or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/neepawawildlife.