Hunting excitement begins at birth with that first camo bib. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Still, the earlier young boys and girls learn about nature and the role that hunting plays, the more likely they are to grow up a hunter and conservationist. Robert “Bob” Warren tells of the excitement a group of youngsters enjoyed in this post from the Lone Star Outdoor News. Best of all, you can be involved as a volunteer or a young participant. Check out the details.

Muhammed Domitrovich and his dad celebrate with Muhammed’s first turkey
Muhammed Domitrovich and his dad celebrate with Muhammed’s first turkey

Texas deer season is over, but like the canary in a coalmine, the wild Rio Grande turkey serves as a measure of hunting success during the spring.  This was especially true during the windy, wet and cold special youth-only weekend hunt on March 9 and 10.  Landowners Leo Quintanilla of Paloma Cattle Co. and Betty Teal hosted the hunt in McMullen County for five youths, their fathers, Huntmasters from the Texas Youth Hunting Program and guides/volunteers from the Alamo Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

For eight years, Paloma Cattle Co. has served as a site for introducing families to a bird-hunting sport with “classroom” education, hands-on instruction, camaraderie and … pop-up blinds. The latter is essential, since these kids range in age from 9 to 16 years old and keeping still with three people close together is nearly impossible without the use of blinds.  Opening morning resulted in all shooting at longbeards, with two hunters connecting successfully.