Summer Practice

While the calendar might not make it officially summer, the temperature certainly does. Turkey season runs through the end of May, and Squirrel season opens June 1, but for most hunters, summer is the long wait for hunting seasons to re-open. Hunters may use the off-season to maintain gear, stay in shape and generally bide their time until Sept. 1 when the dove season opens. However, for wingshooters, summer is the time to practice shotgun skills. Most Kansas communities, large and small, have a local trap and skeet club or sporting clays course. Nearly all clubs have a designated evening for practice, and members always welcome new and young shooters. An evening at the shooting range is a great way to improve your wingshooting skills, and you'll likely meet some interesting, like-minded people. Kids are always welcome, and rigid gun safety protocol at gun clubs is great reinforcement for young shooters. Take a young shooter to the gun club this summer; you'll both have a ball.

A Creek Runs Through It

When I was a kid, a creek was like a magnet to me. If it had running water and fish in it, I could not stay away. I remember a tiny creek that ran through a golf course where me and a friend spent countless hours catching creek chubs and crawdads. Even though we both owned fishing poles, making due with wood slats, fishing line, hooks and some hot dogs and raw bacon seemed like more fun or more primitive. We probably caught more crawdads as we did fish, but they were just as exciting. Wherever I went, a creek or stream with running water drew me in. Of course fishing was the most fun, but even an intermittent drainage can provide opportunities for frog catching, wading, and just exploring the mud and cattails. Every kid should know the fun of exploring a creek. It doesn't require any planning or preparation. Just turn them loose on the creek and stand back. Making a fishing pole from a willow branch and catching a grasshopper or worm for bait will dramatically enhance the experience. Catching a fish would be just icing on the cake. Any nearby creek, large our small, will do. Get the kids out this weekend and let them explore the magic of a creek.

PASS IT ON WITH PATIENCE

This spring, one of my co-workers came in to discuss his plans for his son's first turkey hunt. Dustin's boy, Hunter, is 8 and has been accompanying his mother and father in the field since he was old enough to walk. This spring, Hunter was ready to shoot a turkey. Dustin borrowed a youth-model, 20 ga. semi-automatic shotgun, and the two practiced shooting stationary targets for a couple of weeks before the youth season opened. On their second hunt, Hunter made a great shot on a nice tom. Father and son were thrilled and proud. That experience gave Hunter the confidence to learn to shoot flying targets. Dustin brought him to the local gun club on a recent evening and before members started shooting five-stand, Hunter was allowed to shoot an incoming target. After a a little instruction, Hunter smoked the target on his first attempt. Hunter appeared elated with his success, but when asked if he wanted to shoot again, he declined. He rubbed his shoulder, which was smarting a little from the recoil, and there was obviously some anxiety about shooting in front of other shooters. I thought, "Maybe this kid knows to quit while he's ahead." We all bragged about him breaking his first target and that his break percentage was 100 percent. We didn't push him to shoot more. He and Dad hung around and watched others shoot five-stand and trap. In no time, Hunter was champing at the bit to shoot again. When the trap shooters were done, Dad let him shoot a few trap targets from just behind the house. He broke the first one before missing a couple. He was satisfied and ready to quit. And again, we didn't push him to shoot more than he wanted. When he left that evening, Hunter was jabbering about how much fun he'd had, thanking members who helped him, and making plans to return next week. The point is, Hunter was allowed to progress at his own speed. He made the decision when and how much he shot, and he came away with a positive experience. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a young shooter's initial success and not pay attention to their emotions and feelings. Be patient. Always ask if they want to shoot again, and avoid putting them in situations that could embarrass them or make them feel uncomfortable. Remember that learning outdoor skills such as wingshooting is a life-long process and it's all part of the journey to becoming a hunter. Take time to enjoy every step.