Demonstration Days at DNR shooting ranges give mentored youth hunters the chance to get properly fitted for firearms
The Department of Natural Resources will present Demonstration Days for mentored youth hunters at its Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake and Sharonville shooting ranges in September.
Mentored youth hunting regulations require that mentors ensure the hunting device is properly fitted and appropriately suited to the youth hunter. The Demonstration Days events will give young hunters a chance to try a variety of firearms – rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders, get fitted with help from gun experts and conservation officers, and try out the DNR’s hunting simulator. They will take place:
Sept. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Pontiac Lake Shooting Range 7800 Gale Road, Waterford (Recreation Passport required for entry)
Sept. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sharonville Shooting Range 14520 Sharon Valley Road, Grass Lake
Sept. 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rose Lake Shooting Range 14500 Peacock Road, Bath
Young hunters will get a free T-shirt for attending, and a chance for a free hat if they come back to the range to practice shooting. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, and attendees should not bring their own.
If youth are properly fitted with a firearm, then they will have a more successful experience during their first mentored hunt, and they’ll be more likely to continue hunting,” said Dennis Fox, DNR Recruitment and Retention manager. “This event is one way to help pass Michigan’s hunting tradition on to the next generation.”This project is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Range Partnership Grant Program.
The Mentored Youth Hunting program is designed to introduce youth under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing, offering a “package” license for just $7.50. For one low price, youth hunters under the age of 10 can hunt turkey (spring and fall, any hunt period/location, on private or public land), deer (two tags, any deer) and small game, trap furbearers and fish for all species. By eliminating the minimum hunting age in Michigan, the program is geared toward parents and other adult mentors who want to teach children how to hunt and fish, allowing them to determine if and when their child is ready to hunt. To learn more about the Mentored Youth Hunting program, visitwww.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting. More information about the DNR’s shooting ranges is available at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges.
