Recruiting the next generation is critical to the future of the resource and our hunting heritage. Today may be the first step in your waterfowling future. Perhaps the single most important contribution any of us can make to ensure the future of waterfowl and waterfowling is to bring a YOUNG person into the duck blind and teach them the skills, ethics and respect for wildlife that our parents or others instilled in us.
Start early. Try to explain almost everything you and your partner does. Why you use a call – camouflage, but most all, be patient. So keep the hunts short.
Stress safety and conservation. Teach by example – Explain that even though hunters harvest some birds each fall, their license dollars and their support of DU conservation efforts allow for wise management of waterfowl populations.
- Help your child with hunter education.
- Pick a good day for the first hunt. One that will keep the child’s interest.
- Help your child after the hunt. Help clean the bird and explain the different parts.
KEEP THEIR INTEREST:
- Take the child to a refuge where they can see large numbers of waterfowl.
- Buy an easy to use duck call.
- Encourage reading and identification of waterfowl.
- Pass on stories and encourage theirs.
As teacher of young waterfowlers, the payoffs of igniting a young person’s interest in the outdoors can be the greatest source of pride. You will feel the pride in seeing your outdoor skills and ethics pass down to another generation as was passed to you and that will be passed on to the ones in the FUTURE
What will happen if we stop the circle of teaching young people the right way to treat and save wildlife? These GREENWINGS here today are the FUTURE of waterfowling and conservation. It’s up to us to keep the flame growing in their hearts and minds.
For more info on Greenwing programs in your area please contact:
Anchorage Bowl Area Email: Tom Rothe
Interior Alaska Email: Tom Robinson