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Pheasants Forever invites youth outside

Floyd County Pheasants forever hosts 2nd annual youth day

Press photos by Amie Johansen Elijah Deverell takes aim with guidance from Double C Archer Club Member Paul Van Ausdall at last year’s Floyd County Pheasants Forever Outdoor Youth Day.
Press photos by Amie Johansen
Elijah Deverell takes aim with guidance from Double C Archer Club Member Paul Van Ausdall at last year’s Floyd County Pheasants Forever Outdoor Youth Day.

 

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

The Floyd County Pheasants Forever chapter will host their second annual Youth Outdoor Day this weekend. Children ages 10 to 14 will get to enjoy hands on experiences with archery, game calling, BB guns, casting, gun dogs and a nature hike.

“(These activities) are probably, the most utilized outdoor activities for adults and kids combined,” Dave Van Waus, chapter president, said.

According to Van Waus, the chapter believes it is important to introduce today’s youth to the opportunities outdoors.

“From fishing to game calling to dog training, archery…All of those tools are excuses for sportsmen to spend time outdoors,” he said.

The day is meant to give students a new view of the great outdoors.

“(Students will take away) hopefully an appreciation for mother nature and the tools to enjoy her with,” Van Waus said.

Activities were chosen due to their popularity in Iowa.

“Fishing, nature walks and bird watching — and enjoying nature — are one of the top outdoor activities in all of America,” Van Waus said of a few of the activities chosen for the outdoor day. “You think of the number of people who have dogs whether used for hunting or companionship there is a high number of people involved in that. Women’s archery is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in America.”

Besides being popular, these were also activites Floyd County PF members felt comfortable mentoring.

“Plus it gives us a chance to interact with youth in activities that we sportsmen enjoy and that are somewhat ‘good at’ or comfortable with,” Van Waus said.

Last year was the chapter’s first youth day event. Having never hosted an event quite like it in Floyd County before, Van Waus deemed it a success.

“I think 100 percent of the participants were involved in an activity that they had never participated in, whether archery, game calling, dogs… One of those events probably (reached) a new kid in a new realm,” Van Waus.

Floyd County PF looks forward to offering another opportunity for students in the area to experience or learn something new — whether the student loves to fish and is looking to learn new maneuvers or given a first opportunity to shoot a bow at 3D target.

“We hope this outdoor day continues to grow and we can (reach) younger students here in our county,” Van Waus said.

To register or learn more about the event call Van Waus at 515-231-2565 or contact Floyd County Pheasants Forever Vice President Dirk Uetz at 641-330-8654.  

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