After a tremendous response last year, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment will once again offer young people the chance to learn about the sport of waterfowl hunting before the season opens.
The second annual Youth Waterfowl Hunting Workshop will be held at Camp Buchan in Point Prim Saturday, September 8. Close to 100 youth took part in the inaugural event last year.
Minister Chester Gillan said the free workshop is designed to encourage youth involvement in the sport of waterfowl hunting and ensure beginning hunters get off on the right foot.
"Hunting is part of our heritage in Prince Edward Island and the hunting community has always been a valued contributor to wildlife conservation. Through this workshop, a new generation of hunters will learn about conservation of wildlife and their habitat and as a result, become better stewards of their resources," the Minister said.
The full-day workshop will take participants through all the preparation for a safe, ethical and successful waterfowl hunt. Topics covered will include waterfowl identification, blinds and decoys, distance judging, duck and goose calling, ethics and safety, and conservation. As well, dogs will be on hand for retrieving demonstrations and youth may participate in an optional skeet shoot.
Minister Gillan said the long-term goal of the program is to ensure the future of hunting and conservation of wildlife and their habitat in Prince Edward Island, both by developing knowledgeable young hunters, and by increasing participation in waterfowl hunting. A decline in the number of hunters in recent years has impacted on programs to conserve and enhance wetland habitat. Encouraging a greater number of participants will improve the long-term funding base for conservation efforts.
The week following the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Workshop, young people will have a unique opportunity to put their newly-acquired skills to the test. The Province has designated September 15 as Waterfowler Heritage Day. On that day, youth ages 12 to 17 can hunt when accompanied by a licensed adult hunter who serves as a mentor. The mentor is not permitted to hunt.
"The idea is to introduce young hunters to the sport in a safe, controlled and supervised environment," Minister Gillan explained. "The mentor will be there to provide advice and reinforce hunting skills as well as conservation, safety and ethics."
Youth participating in the Waterfowler Heritage Day hunt must complete a three-day firearm safety course and obtain a special permit from the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment. The Department is holding firearm safety courses in Montague, Charlottetown and O'Leary August 24-26. There is no charge for youth. The special permit is also free of charge. The permit system allows the Department to keep track of the number of participants, ensure they meet the safety requirements, and offer suggestions such as good locations for hunting and areas that are sensitive and should be avoided.
Minister Gillan acknowledged the support of the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation, Red Rock Retriever Club, the PEI Trappers Association, Charlottetown Trap and Skeet Club, the PEI Trail and Tree Hound Association and Ducks Unlimited Canada in the delivery of the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Workshop.
Young people interested in attending the workshop and/or participating in the Waterfowler Heritage Day hunt are asked to contact the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment by August 31. For further information, contact John Clements at the Department, (902) 368-4683.