Youth Pheasant Program

The Alberta Youth Pheasant Program was started years ago by the Sarcee Fish and Game. It was passed on to the Red Deer Fish and Game and continues to be an exciting program for first time hunters. It is open to all youth from 12 to 18 years old. Our season starts in the first or second week of September, and runs every Saturday during the fall. Participants only have to bring their lunch, appropriate footwear, a knife and outdoor wear. Through the Alberta Youth Pheasant Program, aspiring young hunters have a chance to experience bird game hunting and safe gun handling, while being mentored by qualified outdoorsmen.

The youth who have gone through this program have shown a lot of enthusiasm. In the past, this program has had as many as 100 students per year taking advantage of the course.

Each student learns shotgun patterns, clay pigeon shooting, safe gun control, and game cleaning. While hunting the released pheasants, each young hunter is accompanied by a mentor to ensure proper gun control and safety. Dog handlers, with well trained dogs, are also in the field to help retrieve the birds for the participants. The young hunters gain first-hand knowledge of bird hunting with dogs and a respect for wildlife and habitat conservation.

RDFG Will Supply

Equipment and ammunition
Instructors
Safety Gear

You Need To Bring

Cost

The program is Free BUT the participants must be a member of Alberta Fish and Game through Red Deer Fish and Game or any other club affiliated with Alberta Fish and Game, or purchase a RDFG Youth membership for $25.

Black Powder Program

The Black Powder activities sponsored by RDF&G are to support the sport of Muzzle Loading and associated Rendezvous activities.  This is done through organized competition with a trail walk (shooting various targets) with muzzle loading rifles, primitive bows and hawk & knifes at the RDF&G Habitat Land.  We try to design our activities to support the beginner through the senior so we can all have a safe, fun time.

These Rendezvous are held each year in May and September.  Normal activities start on Fridays and end on Sundays. We have competitors from all over the Province as well as some from other Provinces.

We will hold beginning Black Powder sessions for first time competitors, and will ask them to participate in the trail walk with other experienced shooters.  The norm is to have 4 shooters per group, and we are all responsible to each other for safety as well as having a good time.

For beginning junior competitors, we allow the junior to shoot with a 22 rim fire, if accompanied by an adult.

Some level of costume is encouraged, but not required.  

Contact: Tom Cates @ 403-227-5150 or 4tlcates@gmail.com