Forrest Ahrens and Lauren Crabtree are going deer hunting this month for the first time. They won lottery spots in a youth-only deer hunt in St. Charles County.

Lauren's brother, Seth, won a spot for the second year. He's hoping he does better than last year. He said he was too nervous then to fire his gun when he saw two deer.

The three kids were among 120 St. Louis-area youngsters who won lottery spots in a state conservation drawing. They will take part in the youth-only hunt Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27.

Sixty of the kids will hunt at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. Another 60 will hunt on the nearby Weldon Spring Conservation Area. Both are in St. Charles County near the Missouri River.

The youth-only hunts are part of the Missouri Department of Conservation's program to encourage kids in outdoor activities. The youth-only hunts are open to kids 11 to 15.

Forrest Ahrens just turned 11. He is a sixth-grader at Dubray Middle School in St. Peters.

This won't be his first hunting trip. He went on an elk hunt trip with his parents when the family lived in Washington State. Also, he's been with his dad for rabbit hunting at the Busch area. He'll be with his dad for the deer hunt.

"Those other times, I was too young to have a gun," he said. He expects to get a 20-gauge shotgun soon. "I might have it in time for the hunt." Otherwise, he'll rent a gun.

Forrest said does a lot of things outdoors, although he lives in the city of St. Peters. "I go camping with my scout troop once a month," he said.

For the deer hunt, he can pick from two types of camouflage clothing. He also has the orange vest and hat hunters wear in the field.

He and his dad are planning to visit the Busch area ahead of the youth-only hunt so they can scout for the best places to look for deer.

Lauren Crabtree

Fifteen-year-old Seth and 13-year-old Lauren Crabtree live in the city of St. Louis near Tower Grove Park. She's an 8th grader at St. Margaret of Scotland School. He's a sophomore at Vianney High School.

Although they've always lived in the city, they've done lots outdoor with their family.

The family goes camping every year. Many times they camp in tents along the Big Piney River near Rolla, in central Missouri.

Seth said, "Our parents have taken us camping ever since we were just weeks old." Lauren also goes camping with her girl scout group. She said she cooked outdoors and even baked chocolate-chip cookies in an portable oven.

Seth Crabtree

Seth talked about his experience at the youth-only hunt last year. "I had two deer walk to me but I was so nervous I didn't even fire," he said.

Both Seth and Lauren said they don't have many friends who are interested in hunting.

But, Lauren said one friend did show some interest. "She wanted to come with us on the hunt and watch. I told her they didn't allow that," she said. Their dad will be their adult companion on the youth-only hunt.

The kids have a constant reminder of hunting in their home. On the top of the stairway to the second floor, sits a mounted deer head. It's a trophy of a previous family hunt.

John Vogel is a wildlife management biologist at the Busch area. He is handling the Busch and Weldon youth-only hunts in this area.

He said the St. Louis area has a lot of outdoor resources kids can use that are close to their city homes. There's even a winter trout fishing season at city lakes.

The two state conservation areas where the youth-only deer hunt will be held are large. The Busch area has 7,000 acres and the Weldon site is nearly 8,000 acres. (A note: a square mile includes 640 acres.)

Forrest Ahrens probably will have easier going during the hunt. His ticket is for the Busch area, which is flatter and includes more open area. The Crabtree kids will hunt in the Weldon area, which is hilly and about 75 to 80 per cent forested.

If you'd like to know more about all the MDC programs and services, you can go to the agency's website at: www.conservation.state.mo.us/areas/stlouis. There also are chances to subscribe to free conservation publications that are sent to your home.