Thirteen-year-old
Kaley Cain has been hunting before and even bagged a deer.
But, she said the recent Missouri Hunter Education camp
taught her a lot about hunting safety she hadn't known.
The
8th grader from Troy, Mo., was among more than 20 kids from
11 to 15 years of age who attended a week-long hunter safety
day camp. The sessions were held at the Busch Conservation
Area last month.
The main reason for the good turnout was a simple one.
When they completed the camp and passed an exam, the kids
qualify to get their own hunting permits.
Kaley
Cain |
Kaley has an added incentive this year.
"Our family just bought some land north of Troy and we'll
be able to hunt on our own land this year," she said. Kaley
said she's already visited the land and has seen both deer
and turkey there.
She said she owns a .223 caliber rifle with interchangeable
barrels. She said that means she can use the same rifle
for both deer and turkey hunting.
The National Rifle Assn. and the Missouri Department of
Conservation sponsor hunter education camps for kids throughout
the state. The goal is to teach kids about hunting rules
and etiquette and make hunting safer for all Missourians.
The kids also get to try different types of firearms.
There's also a chance to compete in skeet and trap shooting
as well as try out their archery skills.
Aaron
Schneider |
Thirteen-year-old Aaron Schneider of Marthasville, Mo.,
said, "The trap shooting was fun." However, he said he was
on the losing side when the kids were divided into two teams
in a competition.
Schneider will be an 8th grader this fall at Washington
Middle School in Washington, Mo. He said the most important
thing he learned at the camp is "always point the muzzle
of your rifle in safe directions."
He said handling your firearms safely is just as important
when carrying the gun as when firing it.
He said he also was interested to learn more about the
Pittman-Robinson Act. That federal law puts a tax on sales
of firearms and ammunition. The proceeds go to promote conservation
activities in the states.
Aaron said he went hunting for the first time when he was
seven. "And I started playing with toy guns when I was two,"
he added.
So far, he said he has bagged four deer and one turkey.
He said among his firearms is a rifle that came from the
war in Vietnam.
Ryan
Tune |
Twelve-year-old Ryan Tune of St. Charles also cited gun
safety as one of the most important things he learned during
the camp. He said the instructors stressed the need for
taking "smart shots" all the time.
"You should know what's behind your target in case you
miss. It's best to have a hill or a large tree behind to
stop any stray bullet," Ryan said. Stray bullets can
go long distances and cause damage or injury that you don't
even see, he said.
The 7th grader said he enrolled in the hunter education
camp because he wants to go hunting with his grandfather
near Springfield, Mo. "My grandfather took my older brother
hunting there and I wanted to go with them this year," he
said.
Zach
Goodsell |
Twelve-year-old Zach Goodsell of St. Peters said he comes
from a family of hunters. "With my own hunting permit, I
can do more stuff with them," he said.
Zach will be a 7th grader this fall at DuBray Middle School.
He said he enjoyed learning about all the different types
of birds and animals that can be hunted in Missouri. He
also liked the chance to learn more about the various firearms
that are available.
Zach said he owns a .22 caliber and 30-30 rifles and a
12-guage shotgun.
He said he's been hunting for deer, turkey and squirrel
before. But, he hasn't bagged any game as yet.
"I'm going to get something this year," he said.
Zach said he has hunted on his grandmother's farm and at
Busch Conservation Area.
The MDC sets the hunting seasons in Missouri. The commission
also has a number of "youth only" hunting seasons when kids
get a chance to try for game without adult competition.
(If you'd like to know more about hunting seasons, visit
www.mdc.mo.gov.
Or you can call the Busch CA at (636) 441-4554.)
The kids at the hunter education camp do more than just
hunt when they're outdoors.
Kaley Cain said she owns her own archery equipment but
hasn't bagged any game. "I haven't hunted with the bow and
arrow but I've been in competitions," she said.
She said her family also goes fishing and camping. "We
used to use a tent for camping but we've got a camper now,"
she said.
Ryan Tune also said his family also "does a lot of fishing
and camping."
Asked about the lure of the outdoors, Zach Goodsell said,
"I get a thrill out of being in the field and seeing deer
and other game."
Zach said he goes fishing but usually only for trout.
Asked about his interest in the outdoors, Aaron Schneider
said, "I like to sit in the woods and not have my mother
yapping at me. I don't like to be trapped behind a desk."
