Very Encouraging
 

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.:happy0001:

Our club turned out 47 more HTE graduates this afternoon. It was our third class this year, figure that amounts to around 150+ students this year, as the first two classes were both over 50 each?

Probably about a dozen adults in this class. There will be a one evening session in August, for the "home study" course.

How many were girls Denny? Out of 30 kids, I think 8 of them were girls. Was kinda proud of one....there was a robins nest on the front porch beams. She had 4 young 'uns in that nest, all ready to fly the coop. While class was in session, I sat out on the porch and watched ma robin coax her first chick from the nest. It finally left the nest, and landed on the concrete trying to figure out just WTH happened. Took it a few minutes to get itself together, but flew off with mom.

Just after that, the class let out for a break, and one of the bigger lads went over near the nest and said he was gonna take one of those baby robins out. Just about that time, a skinny little young lady stepped in front of him and told him he was gonna have to go through her first. That boy backed off in a big hurry.

Gutsy kids we have these days. She prolly woulda cleaned his clock.:rock:

I assume this was a learning based class instead of a skills class.

All of the three options for the classes are very good but the skills classes are the best if there are both enough instructors and a suitable facility to host such a class.

I am glad you found the class to be a high quality event. I know both of those officers and it doesn’t come as any surprise that they would have a quality event. I am sure if you found it to be a quality event the new hunters also gained a lot of knowledge, about the sport, that will help guarantee a bright future for our sport and resources.

R.S. Bodenhorn

Probably at least 8 or 10 young girls in our class this weekend. Didn't really pay much attention. Generally over the past several years, girls and women have averaged a bit less than a quarter of most classes.

Recall one class about 12-14 years ago, that was almost half girls and women, though. Kinda hard to miss that.

:)

Well I'm proud to say that everyone that took the course passed. A tribute to the instructors. They were excellent. Everyone was awarded the HTE patch and a card. But there was a bonus...a free complimentary 1 year membership to the Black Forest Conservation Club.:arms:

I'm gonna be hearing a fair amount of malarkey over the next few days, as my grandkids all aced their tests and old Pap missed 2 questions. Ain't tellin' em I missed those 2 on purpose either.:s2:

Seen a cub with an ear tag in its right ear on the way over near the Trading post at 449 & Rt 6. Turns out Miller seen it to. He is positive that its the same one that was released in Long Run the week before.:cool2:

I can't wait to take the grandkids.But unlike manyspurs who is an old coot I have a couple years to go yet.:patriot:

Glad to see you and the grand kids had a good time.

Yea but there's some consolation on this old coot thing.....only a good looking ol' coot like me could have great looking grandkids like this. It's all in the genes baby.:p:p:p:p

I gotta agree with ya there.A fine looking pair of grandsons.