With hunting season just around the corner, a free workshop is being planned to help young Islanders learn all they need to know for a safe and successful waterfowl hunt.
The Department of Environment and Energy will host the fifth annual Youth Waterfowl Hunting Workshop at the Charlottetown Trap and Skeet Club in Mount Albion September 11. Minister Jamie Ballem said the annual event is part of ongoing efforts to encourage young Islanders to carry on the hunting heritage in Prince Edward Island.
“Like other provinces, PEI has seen a decline in the number of hunters and an increase in the average age of hunters in recent years,” said Minister Ballem. “We want to try to reverse that trend by seeing that young Islanders have a positive introduction to waterfowl hunting, under the watchful guidance of respected veteran hunters who have a genuine love of the sport.”
The full-day workshop includes both classroom and hands-on instruction on everything from waterfowl identification and blinds and decoys to distance judging, duck and goose calling, firearm safety, and conservation ethics.
“Participants will have a chance to work on their hunting skills but they will also learn about all the other things that are part of being a responsible hunter such as wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife habitat,” said Minister Ballem.
Also on the workshop agenda, hunting dogs will be doing retrieving demonstrations, there will be bow hunting demonstrations, and youth can participate in an optional skeet shoot. Refreshments, lunch and a supper-time barbecue will all be provided. The workshop is open to youth ages 12 to 17. While there is no cost, participants must register by September 3.
As a follow-up to the workshop, youth between the ages of 12 and 17 can put their newly-acquired skills to the test on Waterfowler Heritage Day September 18. Designed to give young hunters the opportunity to experience the sport of waterfowl hunting before the opening of the season, the day is set aside for youth to hunt under the guidance of a licensed adult hunter who serves as a mentor. The mentor is not permitted to hunt but is there to provide advice and reinforce hunting skills as well as conservation principles, safety and ethics.
Youth who want to take part in the Waterfowler Heritage Day hunt must complete a three-day firearm safety course which is free to participants ages 12 to 17. The course will be offered August 27-29 in O’Leary and Summerside, and September 3-5 in Souris, Montague and Charlottetown. Youth must also obtain a special permit from the Department of Environment and Energy to hunt on Waterfowler Heritage Day. There is no charge for the special permit but it 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, as well as areas that should be avoided because of environmental sensitivity.
Minister Ballem acknowledged the support of several partners who are making it possible to offer the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Workshop: Canadian Wildlife Service, the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation, Red Rock Retriever Club, the PEI Trappers Association, Charlottetown Trap and Skeet Club, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Delta Waterfowl Foundation, the Ruffed Grouse Society and Island Guns and Gear.
Young people interested in attending the workshop and/or participating in the Waterfowler Heritage Day hunt can contact the Department of Environment and Energy at (902) 368-4683. Registration is limited so youth are encouraged to register early.