Introducing Youth to Shooting
Let us face it; youth that are not exposed to the shooting sports grow up to be adults who don't hunt.
Firearms education reduces gun accidents and passes on this ancient sport to today's youth.
To keep this age old and time-honored tradition alive, young people need to be educated and involved in safe, regulated hunting and shooting.
In Mississippi, we are blessed with an abundance of these activities.
Hunters Education Under Mississippi state law, anyone older than 12 wishing to hunt in the Magnolia state and was born 1972 or after must complete a hunter's education course before heading to the woods.
This free 10-hour course is taught by the MDWFP and trained volunteer instructors across the state.
Besides having a mandatory live-fire session, the course is also a wealth of information on first aide, field dressing, conservation and other topics.
To find the next one near you call 1-800-354-5033 or your Regional Office.
You can normally find these throughout the year in your community.
You don't just take this class because you are supposed to; you take it because it is literally what it's called: hunter's education.
Apprentice Program Since 2011, the MDWFP has offered Apprentice 3-Day Licenses for Mississippi residents.
The license fee is $7.
00 and includes All Game Hunting and Fishing, Fall and Spring Turkey Hunting, and Archery/Primitive Weapon privileges (providing it's in season at the time).
As long as the apprentice hunter is over 15 and a state resident, they can acquire this one-time temporary license even without a hunter's education card.
This is a great way to take a friend, especially youth such as a nephew, daughter, or younger cousin hunting that doesn't know if they will like the sport yet.
Other groups There are more than 30 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs set up in high schools across the state.
Paid for and run jointly by local school districts and the military, almost all of these units conduct basic firearms training and safety at least once a week.
Besides discipline and leadership, many youth develop a love for the shooting sports through this program.
Inside the state is a very healthy branch of the National 4-H Shooting Sports clubs.
These are open to kids between 8-18 and offer supervised training and competition.
These clubs meet at community ranges and privately owned facilities from Gulfport to Horn Lake.
Scouting has long had a very extensive shooting program.
If your kids are involved in a local troop, talk with the scoutmaster about shooting merit badges.
These programs can be accomplished in air rifle, pistol, shotgun, and rifle classes.
Several local scout camps and councils have dedicated ranges in the state such as Camp Binachi in East Mississippi.
No matter what you do, grab a hold of that youth in your life, pull them out from behind the video games, and talk to them about shooting and hunting.
The traditions you save are yours, and it is up to you to pass them on.
Firearms education reduces gun accidents and passes on this ancient sport to today's youth.
To keep this age old and time-honored tradition alive, young people need to be educated and involved in safe, regulated hunting and shooting.
In Mississippi, we are blessed with an abundance of these activities.
Hunters Education Under Mississippi state law, anyone older than 12 wishing to hunt in the Magnolia state and was born 1972 or after must complete a hunter's education course before heading to the woods.
This free 10-hour course is taught by the MDWFP and trained volunteer instructors across the state.
Besides having a mandatory live-fire session, the course is also a wealth of information on first aide, field dressing, conservation and other topics.
To find the next one near you call 1-800-354-5033 or your Regional Office.
You can normally find these throughout the year in your community.
You don't just take this class because you are supposed to; you take it because it is literally what it's called: hunter's education.
Apprentice Program Since 2011, the MDWFP has offered Apprentice 3-Day Licenses for Mississippi residents.
The license fee is $7.
00 and includes All Game Hunting and Fishing, Fall and Spring Turkey Hunting, and Archery/Primitive Weapon privileges (providing it's in season at the time).
As long as the apprentice hunter is over 15 and a state resident, they can acquire this one-time temporary license even without a hunter's education card.
This is a great way to take a friend, especially youth such as a nephew, daughter, or younger cousin hunting that doesn't know if they will like the sport yet.
Other groups There are more than 30 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs set up in high schools across the state.
Paid for and run jointly by local school districts and the military, almost all of these units conduct basic firearms training and safety at least once a week.
Besides discipline and leadership, many youth develop a love for the shooting sports through this program.
Inside the state is a very healthy branch of the National 4-H Shooting Sports clubs.
These are open to kids between 8-18 and offer supervised training and competition.
These clubs meet at community ranges and privately owned facilities from Gulfport to Horn Lake.
Scouting has long had a very extensive shooting program.
If your kids are involved in a local troop, talk with the scoutmaster about shooting merit badges.
These programs can be accomplished in air rifle, pistol, shotgun, and rifle classes.
Several local scout camps and councils have dedicated ranges in the state such as Camp Binachi in East Mississippi.
No matter what you do, grab a hold of that youth in your life, pull them out from behind the video games, and talk to them about shooting and hunting.
The traditions you save are yours, and it is up to you to pass them on.
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