anybody doing the Youth hunt

[snapcrackpop]

My hours of practice with the boys have been focused on archery and rifle and it shows.

However, we had a great morning together in the duck blind and will again. Just think of all the ducks we saved for you.

[TylerS]

Good to hear the reports! I read the Strib's story in the Sunday paper and I was hoping other groups were faring better.

On that note, don't let youth day be the LAST day you bring a youngster out this year! You can spend just as much time and effort any day of the season focusing on a young hunter as you did last Saturday. Remember, it's up to us to promote good hunting practices, and continue the love of the outdoors to the next generation.

[kurtkwe]

Hunted south of the metro and it was really sad. Prime marsh with two other parties out on same large marsh. Saw very few ducks, more geese actually. If the DNR head who was hunting a prime private marsh never fires a shot that tells you a great deal about the sad state of affairs for Mn duck hunting. Goose hunting is your best bet but that has become a game in itself with outfitters leasing up the active fields. I grew up a passionate waterfowler but I think the sport is dieing for a couple of reasons. Current and past farming practices including the insane ethanol practices. Our governments crop support and insurance policies which encourage draining and farming fence row to fence row. Our 100 year floods have now become almost annual events and will continue in the future as there are so few seasonal wetlands left. Our marches are mudholes with no food to hold or sustain waterfowl. Sorry to sound so negative but its just the truth and it hurts.

[gurkster]

My 10 year old daughter got her first duck, a young male woodduck, on Sat!!!

[Sifty]

Great to hear those first ones are alway special.

Sifty

[gooty]

I believe that same thinking should apply to all game.

Agreed, and 8 pound walleyes shouldn't be held up by a scale hook (your avatar pic.)

ethics, ethics, ethics.

Get outta town tool

Glad to hear some success stories, I have some great memories from YWD. Boxes and boxes of shells were shot, and we never came home with that many birds! Fun stuff!

[jparrucci]

Actually it is 11 and on the wall, wasn't worried about how I held it