I'll be the first one to admit that I am extremely critical of the PGC deer program and really PO'd that it seems like fewer and fewer kids are taking an interest in hunting.

Well, I had my grandkids to the HTE course at the Black Forest Conservation Club in Coudy today. I figured that at best, there would maybe be 10 kids at most there for HTE training. Boy was I wrong on that one! There was roughly 30 kids there along with 5 adults to take the course.

WCO Mark Fair and DWCO Robert Miller gave great presentations along with several other HTE instructors whose names I can't remember. This program has come a long way since I took my 4 hour Hunter Safety course in a small clubhouse that was heated by salamander kerosene heaters in 1969. The PowrPoint Presntations were great. The kids in attendance were extremely knowledgable about our sport for 12 year olds, and they were very attentive during the entire 8 hours today.

It really made me feel good to set back and watch these 30 kids in this rural county take such a huge interest in our sport. I may bitch and moan about the way things are, but I'm proud to say that the PGC has put together one helluva good program for our future hunters.