STEP OUTSIDE TV VISITS CWA YOUTH CAMP
SHOW AIRS ON THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL APRIL 22 -23, 2008

November 2007 - California Waterfowl held its first-ever in-season waterfowl hunter camp at Bird Haven Ranch in Biggs CA. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (a camp sponsor) had some exciting ideas in mind for this unique camp experience.  NSSF sent a film crew from the Step Outside TV program to film this one-of-its-kind camp for national TV. The show will be broadcast on the Outdoor Channel on April 22 at 4 a.m. and again on April 23 at 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Step Outside TV crew captured a total of eight hours of videotape to be used to showcase the many experiences and volunteers that make the CWA Youth Camp program special.  In that time they captured the youth working hard to earn their hunter's safety certificate and receiving the hunt of a lifetime as their first experience out in the field as a junior hunter.

Friday evening and Saturday morning were filled with hunter education instruction and featured team-teaching instruction from George Oberstadt, Jim Knutson and 30-year veteran hunter education instructor, Joe Becker.  After Saturday’s delicious lunch prepared by Carla and Sandi Bonderson,, Department of Fish and Game Warden Bob Pera showed some of the ‘tricks of the trade’, including ‘Bucky’ the phony deer.  Bob talked about being a warden and answered questions about hunting regulations for the campers. 

Saturday's activities also included gun handling with hands-on, one-on-one loading, unloading, dry firing and proper safe gun handling and shooting positions for the new hunters. Then it was range time which comprised three shooting stations with Joe Becker on archery, Jason Valenzuela, Tyler Gullick and Rich Jones on pellet gun and Jim Knutson and Nick Carrico on shotgun range.  Trisha Bonderson, Todd Ackerman and Israel Rosales were group chaperones to ensure a 100% safe experience for all the campers.  Trent Ackerman took ‘top gun’ honors after some very tight competition from fellow campers Cody Estes, Jeff Mayberry and Braden Beene. 

Saturday evening the pressure was on as all 12 young hunters successfully passed the hunter education test. CWA biologists Rob Capriola finished off the busy day with decoy painting activities and an additional bonus lesson in waterfowl biology.

Sunday’s wake up call was early with cold and foggy conditions for the new hunters.  Where can you get twelve young boys up at 4:30 am and have them dressed, packed and ready in less than 20 minutes?  When it’s the first waterfowl hunting experience of their lives and you are hunting Bird Haven Ranch. 

WOW!  A 2.5 day camp with hunter education, gun safety, shooting practice, hunting skills development, duck calling, decoy painting, guided waterfowl hunt and television show to boot!  All brought to you by California Waterfowl, Bird Haven Ranch and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  Great support also was provided by the NRA Foundation, the Foothills Foundation, Hofmann Foundation, Cabela’s and Chico Sportsman’s Den. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in hosting a camp, volunteering to help at a camp or donating to CWA’s Youth Camp programs, please contact George Oberstadt (916-648-1406) or email george_oberstadt@calwaterfowl.org.

Many thanks to our hosts from Bird Haven Ranch, Paul and Sandi Bonderson and Dennis and Carla Hulse. Hunting guides included Steve Weber, Jim Knutson, Jake Messerli, Trisha Bonderson, Rob Capriola, Dave Parvin, Dennis Hulse, Terry Kniese, Steve Andrade, Dave Hinman, and Mark Hockenberger. 

Thanks also go to CWA volunteers for their outstanding efforts in making the camp a success including Jim Knutson, Joe Becker, Bob Pera, Tyler Gullick, Jason Valenzuela, Rich Jones, Nick Carrico, Trisha Bonderson, Todd Ackerman and Israel Rosales.