Norco was one of the few clubs in Central MA to put on a Youth Pheasant Hunter Education Program this year, given all the precautions with COVID-19. The program started in early August at the Trap and Skeet range honing the skills needed to harvest a pheasant in the field. On Saturday, September 19th, the youth hunters, Norco program organizers, mentors, and field dogs all safely assembled to put their improved skills to a test in the field. Early in the morning, pheasants were set out in the fields Norco. Small teams consisting of a youth hunter, a mentor, a field dog picked a field or two to work. Most hunters harvested two pheasants, one in the morning and one in the late morning after a second stocking . Youth hunters were then guided through the steps to field dress their pheasant to take home for field-to-table dinner for their family to enjoy. Norco is grateful for its many members who volunteer each to make this program a success, a program critical to ensure sportsmanship and hunting carry on for years to come.
Norco Youth Pheasant Program had a successful program for 11 youth this year. Every hunter brought home pheasants. Many volunteers were involved for the shotgun skills training, the hunter education outdoor classroom, and the day of the hunt with mentors and field dogs. Kelly Dalbec and Chris Giglio organized the overall program. Norco thanks these volunteers: Field day with dogs: Mark Laverdure, Robert White, Bill Whiting, Mark Malkowski, Bob Shorter, Kevin Newell, MJ Haesche, Chris Norcross, Kathy Shirley, Paul Whalen, and Jim Valley Range help: Bob Hager, Mark Malkowski, Paul Whalen, Jim Valley, and Cindy Temple. Special thanks to Bob Shorter for the live upland bird demo and donation of youth-sized gear for the students; Kathy Whalen for bringing coffee for the mentors; and Duffy Lanciani with the outdoor classroom safety classes and picking up the breakfast for all the students/ mentors/ volunteers.
