And I knew what they expected. After all, the only part of Wyoming they had seen was the dusty sagebrush flats from Evanston to Cheyenne on Highway 80 during a 3 day journey to Colorado in 2008. To say my promises of a good time were met with skepticism was an understatement.

But since 2005 I have made an annual trip to Western Wyoming each fall in pursuit of Elk and Mule Deer. During that time I made friends with the Ligori family. Jim, the Executive Director for the GROW Foundation and his father Tony, are valued friends, and capable outdoorsmen. When I heard that Jim and his wife Cora had a girls only session of summer camp at the ranch ,east of Pinedale Wyoming, I had a brainstorm that I had a way to expose my children to the wonder of Wyoming’s outdoors that I have become enamored with.

A little about GROW. The Green River Outreach for Wilderness was founded in 2009 though a partnership between the Ligori’s and the Morris Family who, in part owns the land the camp operates on. In fact, Kay Morris is the Director of Outreach for the camp. Jim and Cora brought their combined 20 years of camp experience and resource recreation education background and created a traditional summer camp with 1, 2 and 4 week gender separate sessions for boys and girls from ages 8-17.

This isn’t the typical large summer camp with hundreds of campers with itinerary and meals scheduled from one end of the day ‘til dark. It is an intimate group of less than 30 campers at a time, which created a more personalized camp experience. In fact the smaller group allows for the entire group to bond rather than just cabin mates. While I was there I witnessed older campers mentoring younger campers, rather than just going off with their peer group to do their own thing. The Gender Specific sessions eased my paranoid “Dad of a teen girl” mind.

Activities include but are not limited to: Archery, Backpacking, Blacksmithing, Camping, Canoeing, Climbing, Horse Back Riding, Hiking, Fly Fishing, Kayaking, ROPES Course / Team Building, Swimming, Sailing, Arts and Crafts, Woodshop, and Ecology.

When we arrived at the ranch seven miles from Boulder, Wyoming on a well maintained gravel road, I was greeted by Tony, Jim’s dad and a tireless volunteer at the camp. He pointed the girls toward the dorm and told them to change in to their swimming suits, that the group was at the lake and would be spending the night there. A few minutes later we negotiated the two track road in the Suburban over the ridge and down to the lake’s edge. My daughters were immediately welcomed and whisked away by the other girls as they splashed in the 270 acre mountain glacial lake. On the shore was a familiar looking canvas wall tent that would serve as the girls sleeping quarters for the night.

I met each of the camp counselors as they kept a watchful eye on their charges. Casey is a graduate of Louisiana State University, with a degree in Wildlife Management. Sam, a graduate of Colorado College with a degree in Sociology and Music, entertained the group with original compositions on a variety of stringed instruments. Will, a student from the University of Montana, and a native of the Carolinas, is well skilled in the blacksmith shop and shared his creativity with the group.

As we left the girls we drove back to the ranch and saw three mule deer bucks feeding along the ridge unconcerned. A little further down the hill, a cow elk eyed us suspiciously. This was the Wyoming I knew and loved and my girls were smack dab in the middle of it.

Throughout the next few days my 10 and 13 year old daughters got to experience rock climbing, canoeing, swimming in numerous ponds and lakes, horseback riding, and team building activities that involved everyone from the youngest to the oldest. Perhaps the most unique experience was the evening of the 4th of July when the counselors put on a fireworks extravaganza that us Californians had never seen the likes of (Many Wyoming-legal fireworks are not sold in our home state). Combined with a campfire and song session, I reveled in my daughters smiles unbeknownst to them.

Later my oldest daughter would go whitewater rafting, and accompany the group to the Pinedale Rodeo that was part of the local communities’ Green River Rendezvous activities. My normally poker faced teenager was actually grinning when she recounted her adventures after we had not seen her for a couple days. I don’t think even she anticipated the amount of fun she would have in the wilds of Wyoming, when she was sure she would be bored.

Many thanks to the folks at the GROW Foundation who made me and my family feel so welcome. Dee and Kay Morris were so accommodating to us while the girls were at camp. You can truly see how they treasure having the children around during the summer.

I would recommend the GROW summer camp to a parent looking for a real outdoor experience for their children, that will allow them to take healthy risks while trying new things in a safe and nurturing environment.

For more information check out their web page at:
www.greenriverfoundation.com
or email
info@greenriverfoundation.com

You may also contact them through more traditional mail at
PO Box 259,
Boulder Wyoming, 82923
Or Call
307-690-2185

I spent the week trying to figure out what my wife wanted to do for her birthday today. I figured the best thing she could have was a day without her constant companion, Sydney, my 4 year old Daughter. Natalie said that was fine, and to take her with me to the Sonoma County Bowman’s Ultimate Bowhunt Archery shoot. So I got to kill 2 birds with one arrow so to speak.

Now my kids are no strangers to archery. Each spring and early summer we hit the Wednesday night 3d league. My older daughters at 13 and 10 have their fair share of year end awards from the archery club. Today however they had to attend a 4-H function  all morning and the early afternoon. Little Sis had me all to herself.

Anyone with a 4-5 year old child knows that patience and attention span are not the hallmark of children this age. I had no delusions that I was going to have a easy time dragging a pre schooler over an archery course with 28 targets spread over a 200 acre ranch. I fully expected to have to call it a day after half or less of the targets.

We left home for the shoot and Sydney had her little green bow and a quiver of bright yellow arrows ready to go. At the shoot , she enjoyed the French toast and sausage breakfast as I had a cup of coffee. We were grouped with Hans and Adrienne Olufs, club officers, Archery Pro-Shop owners, and parents of a toddler. They were childless today though and I was grateful that I was with some folks who understood and liked children. Also in our shooting group was Wes Coffin, who I had shot with once before at a 3D night. I found out he had a young child at home as well. So I breathed a sigh of relief that these folks would probably tolerate my daughter as she moved up to shoot closer at the targets and the inevitable arrow search behind the 3d targets.

On the first target Sydney and I kind of fumbled getting her lined up and an arrow nocked, but she shot 3 arrows and we scored and pulled and moved on to the next target without too much fuss and without the group behind us breathing down our neck. With 85 shooters on 28 targets rotating around the potential was there for traffic jams but the day seemed very smooth. Us adults would shoot and then Syd would run up to her spot 5-10 yards from the target and fling her arrows and then look for the wayward ones while we scored. By the fifth target she knew the routine and was nocking her own arrows. While us adults shot from the farther stakes, she hung back and didn’t distract, but was ready to go when it was her time to shoot.

I waited for her to tire of the walking in the ever warming sun, but she seemed to remain jolly. Adrienne is an elementary teacher, and Sydney really took to her friendly and encouraging words. They joked back and forth with one-another the whole day.

After 14 targets I refueled the youngster with a Gatorade and half of a Twix. That was as many targets as a normal Wednesday night, and we were entering new territory. We cautiously started on the back 14. The kid surprised me…She seemed to get stronger and more confident. She said matter-of-factly to me : “Dad you can carry my arrows, but just put them down in front of me and I’ll nock them myself, ‘K?”
So the day continued, with the four of us adults shooting, then Sydney running up close to shoot, usually hitting with one or two arrows, a short arrow search while we scored, and then on to the next target. Hans, Wes and I were pretty evenly matched throughout the day. Wes established a lead and never weakened enough for me to move up on him in the score, and by the end of the shoot he had a score of 864 while I had an 849. A  924 (28 targets x 3 arrows x 11 points.) was a perfect score with a bullseye worth 11 points per arrow, a kill-zone hit was 10 points and anywhere else on the foam critter was 8 points. The highest score of the day was Freestyle Pro Dave Bengston with 906 points.

Sydney finished the day with a smile and 266 hard earned points. As the sole Pee Wee Female Barebow shooter, she was awarded a Blue ribbon and SCB Pin for her accomplishment. You would have thought it was the Vince Lombardi trophy.

I finished the day with second in Men’s Freestyle A class, behind Wes Coffin, Hans took 3rd in Bowhunter freestyle A class, and Adrienne took second in Women’s Bowhunter Freestyle A class. We all agreed it was a good outing. Sonoma County Bowmen put on a first-class shoot, and there were smiles all around, especially for one 4 year old barebow shooter.

Chico Basin Ranch is an 87,000-acre property located southeast of Colorado Springs near Hanover in GMU 123.

“Late youth hunts are an excellent way for young hunters to develop their skills,” said Jim Bulger, Hunter Outreach Coordinator for the DOW. “This is a unique opportunity to hunt a beautiful property.”

Youth hunters age 12-17 with an unfilled doe or either-sex pronghorn tag can participate in any December pronghorn doe season in Game Management Units 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 118, 119, 120, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 140, 141, 142 or 147.

Unfilled youth pronghorn doe tags are automatically eligible. Youths with an unfilled either-sex pronghorn license must bring that license to a DOW office and get it converted to a doe license before hunting in a December season. Unfilled pronghorn buck licenses may not be used to participate in this program.

Youth interested in hunting on Chico Basin Ranch should contact Jonathan Tullar at (719) 683-7960 or email at Jonathan@ChicoBasinRanch.com no later than Nov. 23. Available slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult during the entire hunt.

For a more detailed description of the ranch, you may visit their websites at www.chicobasinranch.com or www.boxtcowboys.com.

Youngsters interested in the sports of archery and shotgun shooting are invited to attend this one-day free event. Registration is not necessary.

Activities include a shotgun target fun shoot, a 3-D archery shoot and instruction for both. The DOW will also provide an electronic “laser-gun” hunting simulation that teaches youngsters about shot placement by generating actual hunting scenarios on a big-screen.

Boys and girls ages 7-16 are invited to attend, but must be accompanied by a parent.

Instructors from the DOW and local archery experts will help youngsters learn the finer points of shooting shotguns and bows. The DOW will furnish the equipment.

Directions: From the town of Divide, drive south on Hwy 67 13.1 miles to CR 81 (road to Victor). Turn left on CR 81 and drive 4.1 miles to CR 82. Turn right on CR 82 and drive 1.2 miles to site.

For more information, call DOW District Wildlife Manager Tonya Sharp at (719) 227-5281.

UPTON – Of all high school state championships – football, golf, soccer, speech/debate, track and field, etc. – none are more “Wyoming” than the state hunting championships. 

The Youth Hunter Education Challenge, as it””s officially called, will be held May 8 in Upton and young hunters do not need to qualify in a regional or district tournament to compete. All Wyoming and South Dakota youth 18 and under who have passed hunter education are eligible to showcase their hunting skills and probably learn a little.

The challenge tests youngsters in sporting clays style trap shooting, .22, muzzleloader and archery marksmanship, wildlife identification, orienteering and hunter safety judgments. “The challenge is designed to be a fun event for all participants – not just the winners,” said Jim Dawson, the Game and Fish””s hunter education coordinator.

This is the third year the challenge has been hosted by the Upton Gun Club and officially sanctioned by the National Rifle Association. Winners in both age categories – 15-18 and 14 and under – are eligible to advance to the international competition to be held July 26-30 at a top-notch shooting complex near Mansfield, Pa.

In addition to the department and the gun club, the challenge is sponsored by the Wyoming Friends of the NRA and a variety of Wyoming businesses. All participants receive a prize for competing.

In the spirit of interstate cooperation, South Dakota young hunters can also participate in this challenge for the right to represent their state at the international competition. “Because Upton is close to the border, we””re teaming up with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and holding their challenge at the same time,” Dawson said.

He adds that although the youngsters from both states will take part in the same tests, they will not be competing against each other. Winners will be crowned from both states.

To participate, youngsters need to submit copies of their hunter education card, birth certificate, photo and pay a $10 entry fee. Entry forms are available at the Game and Fish Web site and offices and must be submitted by April 30.

For more info, call the Game and Fish’s Jim Dawson or Jeff Obrecht at (307) 777-4600 or Rick Rothleutner of the Upton Gun Club at (307) 281-9980.

While at the RMEF booth we got to hear Cameron Hanes talk about his latest Season as well as his gear selection for the backcountry.  Afterwards we visited with Cameron.  You know for someone as high profile as Cam, he is certainly a down to earth individual.  The way he relates to people is on a personal level, and he always finds time to talk with the kids. 

I really think that young kids and how approachable they think a person is is a great test of a persons character.  Young Syd had no problem with Cam as they posed for this quick snapshot.  That has not been the case with other people.

Earlier in the Day, we had stopped at a new vendor at the show Girls with Guns clothing, from Red Bluff California. 

As a father with three girls who I look forward to hunting with more, I wanted to be sure to support their love of the sport.  Erin picked out the sweatshirt at the left, while Kelsey and Erin are showing their picks in the accompanying pictures.

Check out their designs on the webpage at  www.gwgclothing.com

While at the show we had the privilidge of chatting with the folks at Relentless 365 magazine.   They were there giving out free copies of  this new magazine dedicated to hard core California Hunters.   The articles are by hunters and about hunting.  Not a thin veiled advertising pitch, not an ad copy product review, but stories about folks hunting big game, waterfowl, and upland birds, in California. 

I had submitted a story about Erin’s first turkey, that readers may remember from this March, and it made page 22 of the second issue.  Erin didn’t know about the magazine article and was pleasantly surprised when the guys showed it to her.

If you want to get four great issues of Relentless 365 mailed to your home each year, follow this link to get your subscription.  and while you are there you can sign up for a junior waterfowl hunt

Sign up your junior hunter to receive a FREE one-day guided waterfowl hunt in the Butte Sink from Relentless 365, Edge Custom Calls, and Edge Waterfowl Adventures. The lucky chosen hunter will also win a FREE duck call courtesy of Edge Custom Calls, a FREE years subscription to Relentless 365 Magazine, and a video copy of the hunt from Relentless Waterfowl Video Production.Hunt Dates: Feb 6 and Feb 7
• Ages 15 and under with a valid hunting license and waterfowl stamps
• Junior Hunter must be accompanied by an adult
• 1st winner hunts Feb 6 – 2nd winner hunts Feb 7

Winner will receive:
• FREE ONE-DAY HUNT
• FREE EDGE DUCK CALL
• FREE SUBSCRIPTION
• FREE VIDEO OF THE HUNT

So it was a good afternoon, showing the girls what an array of hunting products and opportunities are available , both here and abroad.  Sometimes I forget that I immerse myself in hunting and take it for granted, but it is all new for my kids.  This was a nice, warm, dry opportunity to show what hunting, and the outdoors has to offer.

So take the time to go to an outdoor show near you.  you might discover something that piques your interest, whether it is gear, a guided hunt or a new destination.

Erin’s First Pheasant Hunt

It took place the day after Halloween. We met up with a good friend Leigh Meyer, and my cousin Corky and his Lab, “Doc” for a quick hunt in a brushy section of Black Point Gamebird club, on the edge of San Pablo Bay. The brush, and dry conditions made it tough to find the birds. Many flushed wild ahead of us, and Erin had two shots she missed. Leigh kindly took some photos as we held the sole pheasant he was skilled enough to hit.

Erin and I hold Leigh Meyer's kill as we cool off with Corky and Doc.

Erin’s Second Chance, Carsons first Pheasant hunt.

Erin wasn’t able to join us on the next two hunts due to conflicting 4-H and Basketball schedules. But when the first Saturday of January rolled around, She was an early riser since my Brother in law and nephew would be joining my father, his pointer Gator and I in a cut grainfield at the same place. Just as with ther turkey hunt, not being the only kid on the trip, helped make it more exciting to go afield.

Erin was the gunner while her grandfather handled Gator. With Gator's youthful exuberance it took all of Dad's attention.

Shortly after turning the second corner, we flushed a rooster from right to left and Erin made feathers fly with her solo shot from the 870 in 20 gauge. The bird lit running and Gator ran him down with Erin not far behind. She had hit the first bird of the day. We loaded it in her game bag and continued the hunt.

Erin with a couple pheasants in her game bag.

Mike kicked one up and made a long Hail Mary shot. The bird landed in a neighboring field, and the farm employee picked it up and delivered it to Mike. Carson ran over to carry the bird in his new (Christmas) bird vest as proud as punch to be part of the team.

As we continued to hunt we had roosters flushing wild well ahead of us. A few flew in from neighboring fields. Gator put on a beautiful point on a rooster near the road, but we held our fire when it flushed and flew over the passing vehicles. Gator was quite disgusted with us. He had done everything right and we didn’t knock it out of the sky or even try…I could see he was plotting revenge.

Gator after retrieving Erin's Pheasant as Mike and Carson look on.

Mike kicked up another pheasant and connected with a load of sixes. Carson’s game bag got heavier and his smile grew wider.

A bird flew in from a neighboring field and Gator took note. Dad loosened the check line and Gator worked down the airborne scent stream and locked into a beautiful point. Rather than fly, the rooster tried to run, and Gator snatched him up and retrieved him with style. One less shell burned, and Gator had his revenge!

As we walked along, laughing about the shotless bird in the bag , Mike kicked up a pair of pheasants and dropped one but the other sailed away. After Gator mouthed that one and made a pretty good retrieve we decided to call it a day. Besides, Child Services probably would have had our head if we had let a six-year-old boy pack more than three rooster pheasants that morning!

“This is a great opportunity for young hunters and will help us achieve our population objectives,” said Dan Prenzlow, DOW Southeast Regional Manager. “Young hunters, age 12-17, may hunt again in December if they did not harvest a pronghorn during the October season.”

The opportunity to hunt again is only available to youth hunters with unfilled doe or either-sex pronghorn licenses. Youth with unfilled pronghorn buck licenses are not eligible.

Youth with unfilled pronghorn tags can hunt again in any of the following units: 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 118, 119, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 140, 141, 142, and 147.

Youths with unfilled doe licenses are automatically eligible for a second chance hunt. Youths with an unfilled either-sex pronghorn licenses must bring their license to a DOW office and get it converted to a doe license before hunting again in December.

The late pronghorn season dates are Dec 5-9.

For more information, contact your local DOW office.

Youth interested in applying for the hunt must submit a letter of interest including their name, age, address, phone number, hunter safety card number and hunting experience (if any). Previous hunting experience is not required but interested youth applicants must NOT have drawn a Colorado 2009 deer license. Applicants should also include a brief essay (less than 500 words) on the importance of hunting as a wildlife management tool in Colorado and why they should be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime premiere private land deer hunt.

The letter of interest should also include the name and contact information for a parent or guardian who will attend the hunt with the youth. One parent or guardian must attend the hunt and a brief orientation and site-in the day prior to the hunt. The parent of the selected applicant must also attest that the youth has passing grades in school.

Applications must be received at the Meeker DOW office by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 21. Applications should be mailed to Bailey Franklin/Youth Deer Hunt, PO Box 1181, Meeker CO 81641.

Youth selected for the hunt will be notified prior to Wednesday, Oct. 28. The 4th season runs Nov. 11-14. Youth and parent/guardian will be responsible for providing their own meals and lodging in Meeker.

Questions about the hunt or application process should be directed to the Meeker DOW office at (970) 878-6090.

Since I hadn’t had a chance to enjoy these trips, we decided to head West Via RMNP to hit highway 40.  It would be a chance for me to see new country. 

RockyMountain National Park’s elk herd was in rut, and they put on a show. 

We drove through Eastern Utah and saw the Devils backbone as we rolled along.

We listened to classic country on the only radio station  that would come in in the Vernal, Duchesne, Roosevelt area, known as the “Dinosaurland” after the famous fossils, and National monument in the area. 

The next morning we would make our way through Salt Lake City, and even have a chance to stop in Elko, Nevada for a quick visit to J.M. Capriola Co., a custom saddlemaker and western tack seller famous for quality, high desert buckaroo gear.

We pushed on to Winnemucca, where the girls got a chance to experience a Basque Lunch at the famous Martin Hotel. 

It was then a grind home through the Sierras, and the California traffic. I missed the lonely two tracks of Northern Colorado, but gratefully shut off the engine as the trip odometer turned over 2900 miles.