WAHLU (Wildlife and Habitat Land Use) Youth Programs
The Central Dakota Sportman's Club of Carrington, N.Dak., in conjunction with Lee Wahlund and program partners have established a series of programs concerning shooting, hunting, wildlife and habitat development. The purpose of these programs is to give youth a starting foundation on which to build their hunting and conservation lives. The programs are intended to be a cooperative effort between landowners, sportmen's clubs, organizations and companies to provide youth with a hands on opportunity to learn about and participate in our hunting heritage and game management history, at no cost to the participant.
The programs are divided into 3 seperate programs,Youth Hunter Program, Youth Shooting Program, Outdoor Learning Center. Land has been set aside for these programs consisting of 240 acres, which contain 65 acres of CRP grassland, 30 acres of food plots, 25 acres of water,and 120 acres of natural grassland with trees and shrub habitat. A 3 year tree and shrub planting plan thru NRCS programs has resulted in approximately 10,000 trees and shrubs being installed for habitat.
The programs are divided into 3 seperate programs,Youth Hunter Program, Youth Shooting Program, Outdoor Learning Center. Land has been set aside for these programs consisting of 240 acres, which contain 65 acres of CRP grassland, 30 acres of food plots, 25 acres of water,and 120 acres of natural grassland with trees and shrub habitat. A 3 year tree and shrub planting plan thru NRCS programs has resulted in approximately 10,000 trees and shrubs being installed for habitat.
Youth Hunter Program
This program consist of 4 steps to take the novice shooter from beginning shooter thru game consumer.
Step 1; Shotgun Instruction Day
Youth that have graduated from hunter safety education are given basic instruction and shooting opportunities. Youth are checked for eye dominance and are instructed in safety procedures, proper stance, and shooting techniques. New shooters start with stationary targets,proceed to straight away targets, and then to angling targets as the shooter becomes accomplished with each stage. Clay pigeons, shells and guns are provided at no charge to the participants.
Step 2; Habitat Project Day
Youth assemble wood duck boxes and mallard hen houses from kits provided, under the supervision of their parent or mentor. The purpose of this step is to teach the idea of making contributions to benefit the wildlife resources. The youth receive a duck call and calling instruction CD upon completion of their project.
Step 3; First Experience Hunt
Participation in the steps of the program, qualify the youth to participate in a pheasant or duck hunt on the land that has been designated for the program.
The youth is the only shooter on the hunt, accompanied by a parent or mentor in an attempt to give them a quality first experience of hunting. Hunting techniques are discussed thru out the hunt, along with participation in all the preparations for the hunt.
The youth is the only shooter on the hunt, accompanied by a parent or mentor in an attempt to give them a quality first experience of hunting. Hunting techniques are discussed thru out the hunt, along with participation in all the preparations for the hunt.
Step 4; Game Preparation / Cooking
Basic hands on instructions are given to help the youth prepare the game harvested and a simple recipe is given to help teach consumption of the harvested game.
Youth Shooting Program
Youth participate in weekly shoots held thru the summer with limited quantities of shotgun shells and clay pigeons provided at no charge. This program is open to all youth thru the high school level in an effort to enhance the shooters skills to be more successful in the field.
Youth Instruction Days
Part of the shooting program consists of giving new hunter safety graduates the opportunity to try various equipment for shooting sports. This consists of archery, shotgun, rifle, pistol and muzzeloaders.
Outdoor Learning Center
The learning center consists of a headquarters trailer on the land designated for WAHLU ( Wildlife and Habitat Land Use) projects. The land is open to the public for scheduled workshops and activities involving wildlife and habitat education. Demonstration sites use tree, shrub,and food plots for comparative studies and education. Variable conditions involving growth tubes, weed barriers, fertilizer, chemical controls and deer repellant products are used in the studies. Groups using the site include scout troops, school classes and 4-H clubs.
WAHLU Program Partners
WAHLU Youth Program would like to thank the following partners for their support. Central Dakota Sportmen's Club; N.D. Game & Fish Dept; Mn/Wi Wild Sheep Foundation; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Sheyenne & James RC&D; Arrowwood Prairie Co-op/Cropland; Barlow Grain & Stock Exchange; Fessenden Co-op Association; N.D. Hunters Educators Assoc.; Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Assoc.; NRCS/Carrington; Foster County SCD; Plantra Inc. ; Carrington Development Corporation.
Thanks to the many supporters that make contributions and dedicate their time to make these programs successful.
Thanks to the many supporters that make contributions and dedicate their time to make these programs successful.
Donations ; 501C3 Tax Exempt Status
Central Dakota Sportsmen's Club / WAHLU program
c/o Cory Smith
6480 Main Street East
Carrington, N. Dak. 58421
Blog Site
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