PGCA Youth Program Status?
 

What is the status of developing a PGCA Youth Program? There has been some past discussion could we have an update? Thanking whomever in advance.

Allen - Sad to say that after all the discussion back then and having tried to get folks involved - to the point of asking for volunteers in several issues of Parker Pages..... there seems to have been little interest from our members to volunteer their time and experience to something as worthy as a PGCA Youth Program.

The concept has been discussed in depth by the BOD and the logistics seem to be insurmountable in regard to setting up youth SXS shoots and educational events. Centralized shooting-club locations and folks to oversee youth shoots and seminars seem to be the biggest obstacle (besides a staff of volunteers from various regions of the country) and the PGCA's annual donation to national organizations, in part dedicated to youth involvement, seems to be about all we can hope for at present.

Thanks for asking Allen.

Dean

The PGCA effort to encourage youth (and lady) shooters should be two fold. PGCA as an organization should encourage youth and lady shooters at its events, such as having a youth and lady shooter in the competitions. Also, having stories and pictures of youth and lady shooters in Parker Pages and on the website. These are subtle things, but have a huge impact. Whenever we are looking for a hunting or fishing destination, Julia always goes on the place's website to see if there are any pictures of lady/child/families and if there are none, she writes that place off. PGCA already does these things and they just need to be emphasized and expanded where possible. The other part is the membership and that can be summed up in "take a kid (or lady) shooting"

You should revisit the Summer 2013 Issue of Parker Pages to see a concentration on youth shooters.

We do make the effort but it seems to go unnoticed.

The future of shooting and the collecting of fine guns is in our youth.

It is noticed

My boys have been to two Fall Southerns now and were made to feel welcome both times. Little things like that go a long way

Keep right on bringing them and before you know it they'll driving to both the Southerns with their own kids someday.

Logan is 8 now and still a bit too young for shooting but in a few more years he will be participating with 'papa' in our events and will, no doubt, shoot my butt off! (figuratively speaking of course

Mine are 6 and 8 and also too young to shoot a gun by themselves, but they enjoy tagging along.

Even though they are not shooting yet bring them along they will have fun, I remember going with my Dad bird hunting when I was eight and carrying a BB gun I loved every minute of it........

I started bringing Cam when he was 7 and he couldn't get enough of it. Yeah, he is really impressed with "black weapons", as are most boys, but I continue to immerse him in my world of old Parkers and his Winchester 90 and what they can do and how enjoyable they can be.

I think I shot a BB gun on my first few dove hunts too

This Saturday I'm taking my two grandsons down to Markover for a preserve pheasant hunt. They have been shooting clays with me at the club and I felt it was time for them to try their luck on live birds. Campbell the younger of the two is a natural shooter. Logan is still struggling a bit. He's good with rifle but is a bit challenged with a shotgun. He's just not used to shooting moving targets but he'll get there. Tom Jay, my good friend and hunting partner is joining us. Tom's bringing one of his setters so we'll have my setter and Tom's in the field. The plan is to hunt up 6 birds with just the boys shooting then take a break and hunt up another 6 birds with just Tom and I shooting with the boys watching and learning. Should be a fun morning. Looking forward to it.

The boys had a most successful hunt on their 6 pheasants. They took turns shooting the birds and shot them all on their very first shot. Logan, the older of the two at 16 shot my 28 ga Repro and Campbell shot my 20 ga Trojan (that Brad Bachelder had nicely restored). All 6 pheasants were dropped on each grandson's first shot to my and Tom's amazement!
Oh, to be young again and have that kind of hand eye coordination and quick reflexes!
And now they both want to know when we're hunting pheasants at Markover again!