Monica Smith |
Eleven-year-old Monica Smith of Webster Groves said her
favorite outdoor activity is swimming and the only weapon
she owns is a pocketknife. But, she and 41 other St. Louis
area kids last month completed a weeklong Hunter Education
Day Camp.
Their goal was to earn a Missouri hunting license so they
can go hunting this fall.
Eleven-year-old Brendan McCart of Cedar Hill also attended
the five days of classes at the Henges Range and Education
Center off I-44 in southwest St. Louis County. But, he didn't
need any introduction to hunting and owns two hunting guns.
Brendan McCart |
He's already bagged four deer and three turkeys in previous
years. Not only that, he knows how to clean the game and
has eaten the meat.
Those two kids represent the wide range of personal outdoor
experience among kids 11 to 15 years of age at the hunter
day camp. The kids who completed the camp and passed a test
earned a certificate that qualified them for state hunting
licenses.
This is the 10th year that the hunter education day camp
has been held at Henges.
Eric Edwards is the supervisor of the Henges camp. He said
the enrollment of 42 kids has been the largest of any of
the 10 years.
A similar camp was held at Busch Wildlife Center in St.
Charles County later last month.
The weeklong camps are offered at Henges and Busch once
a year, Mr. Edwards said.
However, the Missouri Department of Conservation offers
other individual sessions where kids can qualify for hunting
licenses. (If you're interested in a complete listing
of all area hunter education classes, visit www.MDC.mo.gov/areas/stlouis
and click on Hunter Education.)
Hanna Toczylowski |
Eleven-year-old Hanna Toczylowski of Pacific and 11-year-old
Madeleine Briggs of Shrewsbury were two other girls who
attended the camp sessions.
Among other boys at the camp were 13-year-old Philip Bliese
of Kirkwood and Geddy Avery of Lemay.
Brendan was the only one with any extensive hunting experience.
Madeleine Biggs |
Monica said she's been fishing but hasn't been on a hunting
trip.
Hanna said she's been hunting and fishing with her dad
but hadn't bagged anything.
The Henges day camp included a variety of experiences for
the kids. There were class lessons from a hunter education
textbook. But, there were other unique outdoor experiences.
They shot .22 rifles and had a demonstration of old muzzle-loading
rifles.
Geddy Avery |
On the last day, Friday, June 15, they got to throw Indian
tomahawks at targets.
But, the kids' main goal was getting the certificate so
they get their hunting licenses.
Madeleine said she's got an unusual hunting trip in mind.
"My aunt has a house with a back deck that overlooks a forest.
There are lots of deer there. I'm going to hunt deer from
that deck," she said.
Hannah said she's got her eye on a bow and arrow set.
Then, she's going to go turkey hunting during the bow and
arrow season later this fall.
Philip Bliese |
Geddy said his favorite hunting trip would involve going
after turkeys. But, he added, "Quail and ducks also would
be near the top of the list."
Philip said he's looking forward to a deer-hunting trip.
"It would be nice to have a deer head mounted on our wall
at home," he said.
Madeleine said she taken archery lessons at the Henges
and Busch ranges. She said she also visited her cousins
where they have archery competitions during the year.
She's one kid with an odd assortment of weapons. She has
two bows and a pocketknife. She also has a diving knife
and "practice bomb shell," both of World War II vintage.
"My uncle was in World War II and he brought them back
as souvenirs," she said.
Several of the kids said they've enjoyed overnight camping
with their families.
Monica said one of her favorite vacations was a camping
trip in New Jersey. Hannah said she's been on several vacation
camping trips to Michigan where she was born.
Madeleine said she likes vacations at her cousins. "I get
to drive their golf cart," she said.
Brandon said he's done a lot of his hunting during vacations
near Kirksville. Philip said he's been on fishing trips.
Geddy said he likes overnight camping while on fishing
trips.
