Spoon River NAVHDA Chapter

Wanted to see if anyone is interested in guiding kids at Clinton Lake youth hunt. The date is Saturday, Oct. 31st. I will post more info as I get it.

Clint

Thank you for offering this to the chapter!

What a great way to expose the club, get some dog work in, show off what good dogs we have and get some P.R.

I believe that we have had a few members do this for a youth hunt before. I saw pictures on the old website.

keep everyone posted as you get info.

It's a blast and a great cause all around for the kids, dogs and guides. I will let you know the details when I get them. Anyone interested just post your name or email with your number and I can call you.

Clint

Also there will be free food. I think they put out 8 pheasants for each guide and kids.

I have hunted there the last two years with my son.  Good time and well worth the effort.  Everyone involved goes over and above making the morning enjoyable for the kids.  It also provides an opportunity to educate the public about our dogs too.  When the kid in our group mentioned that he had hunted over a Pudlepointer, one of the guides said, "Really?  My neighbor's Collie will point birds."  Too funny.  Fortunately, his Dad knew the real deal.  

Anyone interested? I need to get names to Clinton Lake asap. They would like guides there at 6am at Mascoutin state park headquarter. The hunt starts at 7:30am and ends at noon. There will be breakfast provided and lunch. Please let me know.

Clint

Clint, I havent checked back lately, this may be late notice. If they are in need of a dog I can arrange to bring one of mine. I have not been on a youth hunt before, but I assume they have a safety instructor with them to assure that nobodys dog gets shot? Not trying to sound silly, but you know what we all pay and put into our dogs, and safety is a major concern.

So if all is safe for our dogs, I can be there. I thought you would have got more responses from our chapter. Im actually disapointed that not more have stepped up. drop me a line or call me for specifics If I can assist.

Ive spoke with someone who has done this. It sounds great and I would love to be involved. If they are still in need please refer me.

Clint,

THANK YOU! What a great time. I love seeing the youth getting a good taste of the sport, and my dog got plenty of work.

Our first bird was shot over water (Clinton Lake) and we got to show off our water retrieve skills. The next 2 shots were cripples on the long run, both with a track and retrieve to hand. Didnt expect to get to show all of the versitility in one hunt! Thanks again for the invite!!

Did anybody get pictures?  And could somebody do a little write up about the day.  I am going to try an write a newsletter this week prior to the opening of pheasant season.

Adam I posted pictures in the Photo Gallery.

John no thank you for coming out to help. It was a great time. We must do it again next year. It's a great way to get the youth interested in this great sport of pheasant hunting and in Dogs and NAVHDA. I told the kids I hunted with I was  posting the pictures here so they would check  this site  out; maybe get an interest in getting in to the sport and dogs. I think this site will be interesting for them.

Clint

I saw that the pictures were in the gallery after I made my post here.  Looks like a very successful day.

I plan on being there next year, when I am more confident on how my dog will respond in the field.  He does well with me, but I want to get more experience for him, and for myself as a handler, especially when it is working with kids. 

I wrote you an article to publish, then when I hit send, something goofy happened. Let me know if its not in your e-box, or profile mail or anywhere. I can type a new one.

I contacted the IDNR about this weekends youth hunts in Jim Edgars Panther Creek, and Sand Ridge. Low and behold they had openings. Im taking my son out for his first pheasant hunt. Sand ridge asked me to bring a dog as they will put on a scenerio for the kids to show them what to expect. Hope my boy Nick enjoys!!

Which access area was the youth hunt held at?  Was it at the Parnell area?  If so I have hunted their a few times.  There is some nice cover out there.  Were all the birds released, or were there some wild birds?  Another good pheasant area is Mascoutin, but they dont allow hunting there.  When ever I am heading through there to the boat ramp, I always see a few pheasants.