2021 marks the 25th Anniversary of Pheasants Forever leading the way, one new hunter at a time through Youth Mentor Hunts. To celebrate, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever of Nebraska launched a three-part mini-series to showcase Youth Mentor Hunts in the state. Youth Mentor Hunts are made through the efforts of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, and Quail Forever.
Video 1: 25th Anniversary
Video 2: Making History
Video 3: Part of the Tradition
Youth Mentor Hunts offer opportunities for youth who may have not ever entered the hunting tradition if it were not to the 58 Pheasants Forever Chapters, 4 Quail Forever Chapters and chapter volunteers. These experiences teach youth responsibility, safety, and upland hunting skills, usually in a day setting. Since 1996, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever have been leading the way to new hunters with over 15,000 youth graduating the youth mentor program.
Declining hunter populations have become a worry across the nation. Without hunters and anglers, crucial conservation funds provided by Pittman-Robertson Act dollars become less and less available. In reaction, the nation has enacted the R3 Movement: recruit new members, retain the current numbers and reactivate those who have lapsed. Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever will continue to do their part to keep the hunting tradition alive and wildlife habitat development at the forefront.
Youth Mentor Hunts will continue to be available across the state in any of the 62 chapters. Each chapter offers unique experiences for youth looking to upland hunt. Different activities include firearm safety, asking for permission from landowners, dog handling, moving target shooting, game cleaning, and more. Participants are gifted with a blaze orange hunting vest to use during the day and to take home with them at the conclusion of the event.
Looking for a way to get your youth involved? Contact one of your local Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever chapters.
Would you like to become a mentor for the Youth Mentor Hunt Program? Check with your local chapter on how you can get more involved. There are mentoring opportunities available for those who would like to teach in nearly every manner and topic.
Has your youth been through the Youth Mentor Hunt program but is still looking for more opportunities to get out hunting? Check out our new Next Steps program!
Would you like to help in another way? Please consider making a donation at https://nebraskapf.com/donate/ to help Nebraska Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever continuing making an impact on young hunters, one hunt at a time.
Youth Mentor Hunts are made possible by the partnership between Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever of Nebraska. Learn more on mentoring options available to you through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by visiting http://outdoornebraska.gov/learntohuntnebraska/.
Would you like to share your story with us? Have a chapter hunt that deserves some recognition? Share those stories with Outreach & Communication Coordinator, Holly Green. Contact her at hgreen@pheasantsforever.org
