More and more adult hunters are beginning to understand the importance of impressing upon young hunters that it is the experience of the hunt that makes for lasting memories and not the kill.
For most hunters who come from the generation produced by the "Greatest Generation," their earliest memories afield are of hunting small game in general and ringneck pheasants in particular. Unfortunately, until the Pennsylvania Game Commission opens hunting in the Central Susquehanna and Hegins-Gratz Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, "Baby Boomers" and everyone else have to be satisfied with hunting farm-raised stocked pheasants.
For those who never experienced pheasant hunting as it once was as late as the early 1970s, hunting stocked birds is a great way to introduce junior hunters to hunting. This year's special pheasant season for eligible junior hunters opens Saturday, Oct. 12, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 19.
Participation during the junior season is for youth ages 12-16 who have successfully completed the hunter-trapper education course. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult. However, youngsters are not required to purchase a hunting license to hunt during the special seven-day season, but must obey the daily limit of two birds and wear a fluorescent orange hat and that color on the chest and back that is visible 360 degrees as required by the game laws.
This year the PGC will have stocked more than 15,000 pheasants statewide on State Game Lands and land open to public hunting prior to the opening day of the junior season. In all, more than 200,000 will be stocked statewide this year by the PGC.
In addition to scheduling the junior pheasant season to include two Saturdays, youth hunters can take advantage of schools being closed Monday, Oct. 14, for the observance of Columbus Day. Being held concurrently is the special rabbit season for eligible junior hunters, who must follow the same fluorescent orange requirements needed to hunt pheasants and obey the daily limit of four rabbits.
Both junior hunters and those younger than 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program are eligible to participate in the youth squirrel season, Oct. 12-18, which has a daily limit of six. No license is needed during the youth season, but junior hunters must be licensed to hunt on the opening day of the regular statewide squirrel season, Saturday, Oct. 19, when junior chaperons may also hunt, but not those adults accompanying in the MYHP.
"When we looked at ways to provide the most opportunity to get young hunters afield, this time frame reflects the importance the board of game commissioners places on junior seasons and the Mentored Youth Hunting Program," Northeast Region commissioner Jay Delaney of Wilkes-Barre said. "We certainly understand and appreciate the hectic schedules families have these days, which is why this year we are also allowing sportsmen's clubs some leeway in planning Junior Pheasant Hunts.
"In previous years, all Junior Pheasant Hunt events statewide were held on the same Saturday. This year, in addition to holding these hunts on the first Saturday, which was done previously, clubs are permitted the option of holding the events on either Saturday of the junior pheasant season."
In Columbia County, Central Susquehanna Pheasants Forever has a junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 226 near Millville for 15 juniors, Saturday, Oct. 12, with registration online at www.register-ed.com/events/view/35797. In Luzerne County, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Pheasants Forever Chapter 803 has a junior pheasant hunt on SGL 119 near Bear Creek for 45 juniors Oct. 12, with registration online at www.register-ed.com/events/view/33028; and United Sportsmen's Camp 271 has a junior pheasant hunt near Shickshinny for 30 juniors Saturday, Oct. 19, with registration online at www. register-ed.com/events/view/35059.
"Anyone who has been involved in our Junior Pheasant Hunts or taking a youngster out during the special season will say there's really not a better opportunity out there for young hunters to get a taste of excitement and success afield," PGC executive director Carl Roe said. "We're thrilled to see clubs and individuals stepping up to meet the growing interest our junior hunters have demonstrated."
Probably most satisfying for adults participating in the junior pheasant season is seeing the joy youngsters have hunting over dogs. For most, it is the first time they have hunted with dogs, and last year it made quite an impression on one young hunter in particular after downing a ringneck that was flushed by a Labrador retriever.
"Wow, that was really neat," said the young hunter. "And, boy, your dog is really loyal."
Clearly, the total experience - not just the kill - was appreciated by that young hunter.
(Dietz is outdoors editor)