Take a Kid Hunting Weekend is Saturday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 21, and as mentoring program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to make some memories and pass on your outdoor passion.
During the weekend, adult residents, accompanied by a youth under age 16, can hunt small game without a license, but must comply with open seasons, limits and other regulations.
Iāve never seen a picture of a kid without a big smile while holding their first grouse, squirrel, rabbit or duck. By introducing a young person to hunting, you can complete the circle ā because at one time, someone probably introduced you to hunting. In my own life, that person was Uncle Ed. He showed me the ropes to get ready for grouse hunting, and he changed my life forever.
I remember my first grouse like it was yesterday. I was sneaking down the Bass Lake Trail outside of Ely and looking around the bend like Uncle Ed taught me. Lo and behold, there was a grouse picking at clover and grit alongside the trail. I raised my trusty .22 rifle that showed plenty of wear from practicing, and checked to make sure of my target and what was beyond. Bang, the shot was true. Grouse for dinner!
What a proud moment. The firearms training and the one-on-one practical experience my uncle shared with me really paid off. My first ruffed grouse, and to be the provider for a family meal ā well, maybe it was just a snack for everybody but it was a true high point in my short life.
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I was lucky my uncle and parents were willing to provide the knowledge needed to make a successful adventure. They made sure I had boots that didnāt leak, the proper ammunition to harvest the game, and they insisted I carry a compass and know how to use it. Mom recommended dressing in layers for a day full of long walks and grandma provided plenty of snacks and a hearty lunch. All were keys to keeping our energy up and experiencing a great day afield.
Even though I completed a firearms safety course, I did have to prove to my uncle that I could handle that old reliable .22 with the utmost safety and accuracy. So before we even hit the trails, we took aim in an old gravel pit to prove I knew proper safety techniques and that I could hit the broad side of a barn.
A year later, I found a single shot 20-gauge shotgun under the Christmas tree and a few years later, Uncle Ed and I traded firearms ā the single shot for his pump 20-gauge. I was on top of the world! Now I was a big-time hunter.
To this day, I cherish the time I spent with Uncle Ed. All the good times of close encounters with wild game and wild places were amazing, and the knowledge he passed on to me has stuck. Now Iām passing those same skills on to families, kids and adults. The circle is complete. How about you?
Take a step back with a youth or a family member. Try starting them out hunting small game, which can be a stepping stone toward oftentimes challenging big-game hunting.
Think about your fondest memories. Iām betting many of them took place in the outdoors. Make some life-long memories this fall. For if you donāt, who will?
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By Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator
