Youth Hunting & Conservation Course 2016 ( July 2-7 & Aug 2-7 )

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Youth Hunting & Conservation Course 2016

Delta Waterfowl Foundation and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters are pleased to announce that they are offering two Youth Hunting & Conservation Courses in summer 2016.

The 2016 Youth Hunting & Conservation Course is a 6 day long event with fun and action filled learning activities. Certified instructors will teach and coach students by sharing their knowledge and experience so that students can successfully obtain their Firearms Safety, Hunter Education and Wild Turkey Hunting certification and much, much more.

For Boys and Girls, Ages 12-16


Course 1 – July 2nd to July 7th | Course 2 – August 2nd to 7th
Students may arrive the evening of the 1st or early morning of the 2nd and will be picked up on the evening of the 7th.

Research and Education Center | Potters Creek Facility
546 Turkey Point Road, Turkey Point, Ontario N0E 1P0

Only $500
Includes: Food, Accommodations, Many Gifts, Shells and all Other Expenses

Introduction:

The number of waterfowl hunters in North America has declined substantially since the 1970s and the average age of our hunters is now in the 40s. These changes can be attributed to the fact that far fewer youth are taking up hunting today than did 30-40 years ago. This decrease in hunting participation has also caused a reduced appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the importance of hunting in wildlife management and conservation.

The Delta Waterfowl Foundation has responded to declining youth participation in hunting by delivering a Youth Hunting & Conservation Course (YHCC). The YHCC provides youth with the opportunity to become completely certified to hunt while instilling in them a keen interest in our hunting heritage and a passion for wildlife conservation and management. This is a hands-on course which provides youth with many unique learning opportunities that they would not receive in a traditional classroom setting.

Program Objectives:

The program objectives are to provide youth with:

1. Hunter Education, Firearms Safety and Wild Turkey Hunter Safety training, mentorship, and certification;
2. a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of wildlife conservation and management and the contribution of hunters to these initiatives;
3. opportunities to participate in many hands-on activities including dog training, decoy placement, and the cleaning and cooking of wild game;
4. knowledge about the historical and contemporary importance of Canada’s hunting heritage and wildlife management and conservation;
5. basic knowledge about biology, wildlife ecology, and wildlife habitats;
6. future opportunities for mentorship toward a career in the field of wildlife biology.

YHCC Participants & Fees:

The YHCC is open to 12-16 year-old Ontario youth, with enrollment open to 30 individuals in each course. Enrollment is first come, first serve and will be open until May 15, 2016. Applicants are asked to fill out an information package (see below). The YHCC is offered at a very affordable rate as it is subsidized by Delta Waterfowl, Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters and several of our conservation partners (please see bottom of next page). The total cost to participants is $500 which includes:

• Ontario Hunter Safety Certification
• Firearms Safety Certification
• Ontario Wild Turkey Training Course
• All food
• Accommodations
• A one-year membership with the Delta Waterfowl Foundation
• A one-year membership with Ducks Unlimited Canada
• A one-year membership with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
• A one-year membership with the Quality Deer Management Association
• Various other gifts donated from Delta, OFAH and our conservation partners
• Hands-on training by various hunting/wildlife professionals
• Lots of fun!

Some individuals taking the course do not come from a background/family of hunters. Consequently, we offer a limited number of spaces for parents/guardians to take the courses with their child. Cost to parents/guardians is $500. We also offer a limited number of spaces for parents to attend the event but not to take the courses – cost is $100 per day or $400 for the entire course. Parents/guardians interested in taking the course, or attending are asked to fill out a separate application package and submit it with their child’s application.

Contact Tim Cameron: [email protected]

To download the application package, go to www.deltawaterfowl.org/yhcc