How to Train Your Lab to Hunt
How to Train Your Lab to Hunt
The above group of youngsters participated in the very first Parker River National Wildlife Refuge youth hunt in 1965. I would love to know where they are now and how their shooting has been for the last 50 plus years!!!!!
Since 1965, The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, MA has hosted an annual one-day youth waterfowl hunt on the refuge. It’s not just a “pick up a gun, don your waders, and let’s go” type thing. This is a program with great value to the aspiring hunters and a rewarding experience for the mentors.
Prior to the actual day of the hunt, each participating youngster is required to attend a waterfowl identification course put on by the Division of Refuge Law Enforcement. The course includes a general hunt orientation that, in addition to identification, covers overall aspects of waterfowl hunting, methods, gear, regulations, and safety. The youngsters are also given duck calls and other valuable material.
Several days prior to hunt day, mentors, youth hunters and Federal wildlife officers gather at the refuge. Although not required, most hunters are accompanied by a parent or other adult. After introductions and group pairings, they proceed to designated areas in the marsh, each with a portable blind that has already been assembled by the refuge staff and volunteers. The groups then locate their assigned spots and put up the blinds. This way, when they come for the hunt in the wee hours of hunt day they just put out their decoys and quietly slip into the blind.
The hunting area itself is a vast section of the refuge that is closed to hunting and only open to this group of youngsters on this one day. Each youngster is also provided with a set of brand new decoys (that they can keep after the hunt) and some mentors bring along their own dekes and gear. Only the youth hunter is allowed to carry a gun for the hunt.
Youth hunter, Liam holds his two Black Ducks (part of the morning harvest) and is shown here with his mom, Tobi. Also in the photo is Dorie, one of the Labs that took care of the retrieving work. The support that youngsters like Liam receive from their parents speaks well to the future growth of our sport.
Mike Robinson, a lifelong duck hunter, has been a key organizer of this Parker River National Wildlife Refuge event since its inception and is a major reason for its continued success. Mike explains that for many of the youngsters, this is their first duck hunt. “Being hands-on mentored by veteran duck hunters is an invaluable learning experience for these youngsters. And for the mentors it’s incredibly satisfying to sit in a duck blind and share their knowledge that will hopefully shape a new member of our duck hunting fraternity.”
Ember and I were proud to join Mike, the other mentors and the kids. We had a blast.
In this photo (l to r) are Ember (still looking for birds in the air;) yours truly; Gareth R. Williams, Federal Wildlife Officer; and youth hunter, Mike, holding some of the decoys given to each hunter.
According to Gareth R. Williams, Federal Wildlife Officer, US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE, Parker River NWR / Great Bay NWR, this youth hunt is one of many outdoor educational and participatory experiences offered throughout the Northeast. “We welcome new youngsters and mentors to join us for this great annual duck hunt program. I encourage folks of all ages to visit and contact the Parker River Refuge to learn about how we can enrich your outdoor experiences and also how you can get involved.”
In Memoriam
I sadly report that Dorie, the black female Lab shown in the photo above with Liam and Tobi has since passed away just shy of her 13th birthday. This hard working Lab was owned by avid New England duck hunter and outdoorsman, Hank Garvey. Both Hank and Dorie have long been key participants in the youth hunt program.
