Saturday, October 13 marked the date of the Black Ash Sportsman Club’s 6th annual Youth Pheasant Hunt.  As in past years, the Pennsylvania Game Commission helped sponsoring clubs throughout the state by providing pheasants (2 per registered hunter) as well as pre-hunt registration through their web site.  We had a total of 12 hunters register this year (although only 9 turned out the morning of the hunt).

Our hunt day started early with a 7am kick-off meeting and safety talk at the clubhouse.  We then adjourned out to the trap field after sunup to get each of the young hunters some practice shooting at clay targets.  It was then off to the hunting fields where each group was accompanied by a guide and their dog (or dogs in some cases).  While the weather conditions were not perfect, temps in the 40’s and intermittent rain, it did not stop our hunt groups from spending a few hours afield at their designated hunt locations. Following the early morning hunt, all groups reported back to the clubhouse where we re-organized for the Black Ash 2nd Chance Hunt. During this hunt, we give each junior hunter who has not yet harvested a pheasant or those that are short of a limit to go back out for another chance with pheasants supplied by Black Ash.  When all was said and done, all nine of our hunters had very successful days with each hunter taking at least one pheasant and eight harvesting their limit of pheasants (this set a new Club record).  On top of that, all hunters were safe, demonstrated ethical hunting practices and had fun.  Following the hunting activities, we wrapped up the day with a lunch sponsored by the Black Ash board of directors.  It takes many volunteers to make this event successful and I would be remiss if I did not recognize this year’s volunteer group.

Hunting Guides: Al Hudock, Jason Reece, Duane Koller, Gary Glunt, JD Rector, and Bob Bush

Field Support and Hunter Check-in: Mark Weber, Joe Weber, and Melanie Gorman

Grill Masters and Food Prep: Carl Pelino, Bob Schoenfeldt, Earl Brown, and Carolyn Zur

T-Shirts: Molly Smith

Land Owners: Keith Smith and Gary Glunt

Robert Schriner: Hunt Coordinator