The 20th annual Washington County Pheasants Forever Mentored Youth Hunt ran a bit ahead of schedule Saturday at the Blair Youth Shooting Sports (BYSS) range.
The efforts were made due to high temperatures.
Across more than two decades, Pheasants Forever's hosting duties have come with all kinds of weather. Mentors and volunteers have worked with more than 270 kids, ages 12-15, since the beginning, according to information provided by Sharon Rion.
“We have seen a steady increase in the number of females who apply for this event,” the stat sheet read.
Volunteer numbers have reached more than 200, too, with at least 80 of those people putting in at least 10 years of mentorship. Bob Rion has organized the hunt for 18 years.
Washington County youth instruction — covering hunting safety, wildlife and outdoor ethics — and hunts were conducted on the farms of Rod and Curt Jensen, and Rodney Madsen previously, but have since taken place at the BYSS range and on Tyson Farms land in recent years.
The event continues to evolve, too, with the latest addition — an indoor dryfire simulator — apart of Saturday's curriculum.
More Washington County Pheasants Forever information is available online at facebook.com/washcopf/.
