Refuge event introduces young people to bird hunting

Published 11:59 am Tuesday, September 22, 2015

It was a little early for the ducks this season and there was only a limited amount of water, but youngsters and parents who participated in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge’s Youth Duck Opener on Sept. 19 found it to be educational and enjoyable.

The event was planned with the intention of perpetuating American hunting heritage and fostering hunting opportunities for future generations. This was the first such annual event in our area. It was attended by seven young shooters and their parents.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Willapa Project Leader Jackie Ferrier and John Arrabito, officer with the Washington Waterfowl Association, conducted an informative seminar. The association brought a trailer packed with every conceivable mounted duck, which enhanced the duck-identification portion of the program.

Longtime local duck and goose hunter Dan Heasley of Ilwaco was available to offer advice and instruction on hunting the refuge. There were also many other volunteers available. Willapa refuge maps, hunting regulations and many other point-of-sale brochures were available featuring valuable hunting information from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Hats and pins depicting different outdoor scenes were distributed.

A “chow tent” was set up offering hot coffee, soft drinks, blueberry muffins, chips and freshly barbecued hamburgers.