The youth hunts have started across Canada this week. On September 5th one of eleven provincial mentored youth hunts was held on Delta Marsh with 45 youth and 40 mentors.

The youth had a chance to learn all about hunting and conservation from a variety of hunters, professionals and instructors. Aside from the hunt itself the 12-17 year old girls and guys learned all about gun handling and safety, retrieving, clay shooting, calling, regulations and enforcement, conservation issues, cleaning, preparation and cooking.

The youth ventured out on the famed Delta Marsh and on several agricultural fields. Thanks to the local agriculture producers for their permission to access their harvested fields. Hunting was excellent as there were lots of ducks and geese around. One of the highlights was the harvest of a black duck. Another highlight was a young man, Devin Dyck, of MacGregor who spent his 18th birthday with us this weekend, graduating from being a youth last year to a mentor this year.

This is one of 11 mentored hunts in Manitoba, with several more coming up in other communities in upcoming weekends. There are still openings for some of the hunts and you can learn more about them by clicking here. Other hunts are occuring elsewhere in Canada as well.