Guys, getting inot something that make or make not be a doer.  Want ya'll input and to see if you guys are aware of or ever been involved .

I'm working with our State Game Dept. here in Va. about  possibly teaching the sport of waterfowling and or the hunting sports in general in one of our local colleges(night school). The class would not only include classroombeginning with the hunter education program" but also field workshops .I'ts my hope to include talks from pro staffers, Orgs. Game Wardens Wildlife officials.  We are at this time trying to come up with a game plan with the hopes of getting approval from "the big wigs".  My questions are, if it were offered in your area, would you be interested in a class of this nature.  Have you ever seen /heard of or taken anything like this.  Maybe we now have some states doing this very thing and we could tap into their game plan.   Hope to get some feedback, Thanks  Cut

This is a spectacular idea.  I don't know of anything in our area that is offered like this.  I do think though, that you would be able to find interest if it was offered.  I also think that you should be able to find backing from most of the outdoor suppliers.  One that comes to mind right away is Mossy Oak.  They talk about family and the outdoors being a part of their core business.  It is even in their slogan/tag line.

This would/will be offered as a "continued adult education class". Either one or two nights a week and I've already talked to several orgs.and conservation groups ,all like and support the idea.   Kind of wondering why no one has attempted it or that it's not being offered"somewhere".

Also, it may not only include hunter ed but could cover several other shooting sports that are popular here,sports like spring turkey and deer hunting.

Part of the reason why it may not have been offered before is because of the small percentage of hunters in the general populace.  Universities/tech schools look at the percentages and they see a class geared at a portion of +/-20% of the people in the area and they think they are going to be spending money on a loosing cause.  What they don't realize is that the 20% of the population that does hunt (or is involved in a shooting sport) are passionate about their sport and are willing to spend money, time and travel to support it.  Cudos to you, good luck and keep us posted.

Good point sbean!  I think it's a good idea, just wonder WHY it was not been done...... I'm always the last one out of the gate.

All, I know it...it's worth a try!!

Hey Cut,

I got this email from a guy on our pheasant hunting site and though of you (or anyone else that would be intrested).  It sounds like you guys have a lot in common and could brain storm ideas.  Anyway here is his email:

My name is Josh Gwartney and I am High School teacher at Catoosa High School. We are starting what I believe to be the first ever total Outdoor Education class. I am writing this letter to ask for your organization’s help to get this class up and running. We are targeting organizations that have not only a love of the outdoors but also care about the youth. As a teacher and coach I consider myself very lucky to have the chance to introduce these young people to what I have a passion for.

Our class will give a lot of kids the chance to do a lot of things in the outdoors that they otherwise would never experience. Along with making an impact on young lives you may also gain the interest of an audience that would never have been interested had this class not been formed. I am trying to introduce my students to the outdoors in a positive and responsible way and spark an interest that they may take with them throughout their lives. A few of the things that we will be covering in the class are but not limited to: Conservation, Hunting (all aspects will be covered, from birds to big game), hunter safety, animal anatomy, game and fish recognition, bag limits of game and fish, gun safety, fly fishing, outdoor cooking, archery, fishing, GPS navigation, outdoor photography, wild game preparation, bait presentation, fishing and hunting strategies, and I am open to suggestions!!!

The sky is the limit for this and any and all the help and support that I can get from ANYONE would be great. We are starting form SCRATCH so any and everything helps, of course donations and equipment is great, but if not even if you can just come share your time and knowledge with my class I would appreciate it. It would be great if you could maybe donate a hunt for a kid or for us to maybe auction off as a fund raiser You may contact me at school or at home:

Home: Josh Gwartney 4384 South 430 Road Chouteau, OK 74337 (918)373 0498 (cell)

School Coach Gwartney 2000 South Cherokee Catoosa, OK 74015

Thanks Bro, will definately have to give this gent a call