Buffalo, MO: Too often today, the skills of a true outdoorsmanship are lost to the new generation of youth hunters and anglers, probably more so of hunting. Putting up blinds, piles of bait, hunting from stands the majority of the time, is not what true hunting is all about. “Learning the skills of the field, from tree and plant identification, track knowledge of various wildlife, wildlife trails, creek crossings, tell-tale nests, dens and bedding areas can only be learned by getting kids and adults, outdoors. Let’s call it “Wildlife Scouting”, states Craig Alderman of QUWF. Reading thousands of posts on social media, the hunting experience today is head to the blind placed near or over bait, wait, until something comes by. This by definition is most high fence operations as well, not a form of hunting but of shooting.

“I encourage all conservation organizations to initiate “Youth Scouting Days” or just “Scouting Days” in general for those who might like the long walks in the woods to see nature at its best, learn the trees, signs of wildlife, plants, birds and their way of life” Craig suggests. Bring the binoculars and cameras, try pointing out the various trails, streams and know a little of the history of the land you are on. You will see wildlife tracks, try and identify each one, if there is a question, take a photo with your phone and make it a follow-up session at the next meeting. Let them look it up, no better teacher.

As you wander through the woods, fields and over streams, make it a point to show them how habitat work can help the land and wildlife, proper timber thinning, brush piles for bunnies, quail, chipmunk’s, squirrels, bedding areas for deer, bugging areas, fire lanes and roads planted, roosting trees for turkey near streams and field edges, you are now creating “Stewards of the Resource”. See ANY trash, pick it up! Always leave the woods and fields cleaner than you found them. This is an easy excuse for a BBQ at days end.

Few youth can point out wild grapes, wild blackberries, native warm season grasses, partridge pea, persimmon trees or know why white oak is the mast (what is mast) producer favored by deer and turkey.

If you are working with youth that love fishing, have a “Lake or River Scouting day” first visit the lakes and rivers, again know the history, is it a natural lake or confined water, review contour maps, walk the edges, banks, shores and coves, point out the structure that makes fishing better and again, pick up any and all trash all the time. This is a larger problem around lakes and rivers, trash pick up is almost a separate outing. Second, if you have a boat, then trip number two can be visiting good structure, proper boat courtesy and use, being vigilant for invasive species on boats and trailers. Identify the native species of fish, when they feed, how to understand their habits.

“Plan several of these scouting trips per year, you are investing in our future and creating stewards for the resource, not just users” Alderman points out. “It costs little other than your time and some box lunches which are superb in the field with youth and interested adults or an end of day BBQ” Craig states.

About QUWF:

The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), is the only Veteran founded and managed national conservation organization in the U.S., and the only multi-specie and clean stream national organization including youth fishing teams, based in Missouri. QUWF “turns-the-dirt” locally and nationally with chapters that manage and control their own funds. To join QUWF, get involved or open a chapter locally for upland wildlife and habitat restoration/ clean streams or the new youth fishing teams, visit our web site at www.quwf.net or email ADMIN@quwf.net. QUWF is a proud Conservation Partner of Bass Pro Shops Cabelas.

“Preserve the Land and Clean Streams….Build the Habitat….Hunt and Fish for Generations” with QUWF™