California Waterfowl Association

2007 POST SEASON JUNIOR WATERFOWL HUNTS

While there will always be mixed results if you survey a group of adult hunters about the past years waterfowl hunting season, just ask a junior hunter and it’s almost always good news! On February 3rd and 4th , with the help of CWA volunteers and staff, close to 1,000 young waterfowlers ages 15 and under were treated to snacks and drinks throughout the state on both public and private lands during the special post-season youth hunt days. CWA also provided goodie bags and warm beanies for the ride home.

The shooting was good as well. Of the areas surveyed, the juniors bagged close to a 3 bird average on Saturday and a 2 bird average on Sunday.

There were plenty of lasting memories to note:

Judy Oswald and Jim Yost of Little Dry Creek Farms near Sacramento NWR hosted 11 boys and girls, and one youngster bagged a banded gadwall!

Don Springer and Tom Kemp, owners of the Big Lake Duck Club of Willowcreek, not only hosted youngsters at their club, but solicited other duck clubs to participate, provided overnight accommodations and all meals, and coordinated all activities with other club participants. Springer and Kemp have been hosting 15 -25 junior hunters for this special post-season hunt the past several years, and this year they welcomed 24 lucky young hunters. Rick Timmer, on behalf of CWA, handed out goodie bages and signed up 21 new sprig members. Yancy Forest-Knowles provided a duck calling seminar, and Don Springer and another adult guest spoke about the importance of gun safety. The participating clubs were: Big Lake Duck Club - Don Springer and Tom Kemp, Forsome Duck Club - Rick Timmer, Tin Can Louie Duck Club - Nick and John Iacopi, Primetime Duck Club - Yancey Forest-Knowles, The Office Duck Club - Brad Jones, Sunrise North Duck Club - Allen and Donna Thomas.

On Saturday at Gray Lodge WA a banded snow goose and drake pintail were both taken by lucky hunters. At Saddleback Ranch just north of Marysville, Danielle Dittman of Burlingame shot her very first duck- a banded drake mallard. It’s still hard to tell who is more excited, dad or daughter!

Gray Lodge WA