SUWANEE, GA – The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) did not allow rain from Hurricane Delta to put a damper on the fun, fellowship, and excitement during its annual Youth Deer Hunt. Held on Saturday, October 10, during Georgia’s week-long Youth Firearms Season, Georgia SCI hosted more than 20 kids across two hunt locations – the Beretta Shooting Grounds by High Adventure Company in Kingston and Milner Farm in Commerce. The annual Youth Deer Hunt is one of the numerous events hosted by the Georgia Chapter of SCI in its efforts to recruit new hunters and shooters.

The youth participants and their chaperones were treated to a full morning of educational discussions presented by Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife professionals, including game wardens, hunting and shooting education specialists, and wildlife biologists, along with Georgia SCI volunteers and employees from BPI Outdoors. During several presentations and discussions, they learned about hunting, the shooting sports, game laws and regulations, deer biology, wildlife conservation, and gun safety. Following lunch, the youth hunters spent time at the shooting range learning to shoot both rimfire and centerfire rifles. Rifles at Milner Farm were provided by Bergara and CVA, and the rifles used at the Kingston location were provided by the Foundation for Outdoor Kids. Eye and ear protection were generously supplied by Walker’s, an innovative leader in developing solutions for hearing protection and enhancement.

After a full morning of learning and time on the range, the youth hunters and their chaperone went afield with their mentor where the fellowship continued. As with previous Youth Deer Hunts, the Georgia Chapter of SCI covers all costs associated with the processing of each deer and returns the venison to the hunter’s family for consumption. At the end of the day, many of the kids were asking, “When can we go hunting again?”

“Introducing the next generation to hunting and the outdoors is part of what the Georgia Chapter of SCI is all about,” said Louis P. Cole, President of the Georgia Chapter of SCI. “It’s just a small contribution we can make as an organization to ensuring the tradition of hunting and wildlife conservation is carried on for many, many years.”

The annual Youth Deer Hunt day was made possible by numerous SCI members and volunteers, and our incredible partners and sponsors, including Chuck’s Firearms (Atlanta), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bergara Rifles, Beretta Shooting Grounds by High Adventure Company, Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA), Foundation for Outdoor Kids, Chad Milner of Milner Farm, Georgia SCI supporter Larry Shores, and Walker’s.

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The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting and protecting our hunting heritage through education, conservation, and humanitarian efforts. Founded in 1981, the Georgia Chapter is one of the oldest SCI chapters in the world. Visit www.GeorgiaSafariClub.org for more information.