Safety Classes

[bubba]

Is anyone who visits the NY site an instructor for gun bow or trap for the state? I have been an instructor for 17 years for gun. I am also starting the bow instructor this year. I love the classes and do at least 3 a year and try to fit in 4.  If not instroctosr what do you do to try to help the future of our hunting sports?

[crazyjjk]

Used to teach hunter safety for years. Had to give it up because of a divorce and having to raise a child (from age 1) on my own. Exwife would rather live in a beer bottle than deal with children. Now that my daugthers older (11) I have been introducing her and others to the shooting sports. I have one kid that has shooting indoor sporter rifle with me last year.  It appears I will have two or more this year. (I am going to have to buy more 22 rifles). I also have one boy shooting rimfire silhouette with me on an on and off schedule (football interferes). Plan to take 3 kids with me to PA beginning of august to shoot in informal weekly trap shoots. It's great to see them enjoy it.>John

[ken w.]

I'm a vendor at gun shows and sell trapping supplies.Any kid that shows an interest in trapping or shooting that stops at my table gets my full attention and I will show them how to correctly adjust their traps, set, and how to take care of their catch.I give them information on where to send fur, where to tan and etc.
As far as shooting goes,I show them guns that they feel comfortable with,not just what their folks think they should have(ex.12 ga for a 10 year old)guns that fit them,how to use the sights,how to clean the guns,etc.
There's nobody else at the shows that will do this.Most vendors can't be bothered with the kids.And it's a shame,their our future in this sport.Secondly,their our future customers.

[bubba]

good for you guys. It is nice to see people involved rther than sitting back and griping our numbers are falling. I still think if we could get them hooked earlier they would stay hooked. This is the oldest state which youth canbig game hunt. By that I mean they have to be much older than other states. If that age was lowered a bit might help too.

[crazyjjk]

good for you guys. It is nice to see people involved rther than sitting back and griping our numbers are falling. I still think if we could get them hooked earlier they would stay hooked. This is the oldest state which youth canbig game hunt. By that I mean they have to be much older than other states. If that age was lowered a bit might help too.

I agree fully, I think hunting (even big game) by age 12 with an adult is not unreasonable>John

[ken w.]

I have sat at many sportsman federation meetings and argued with all the old stubborn farts about voting to lower the big game age to 12 so the kids would get interested in hunting rather than chicks and computer games.

I really feel some of the older folks have really lost touch with the fact that  if we don't teach the youth we will have lost them.I see in the trapping field,a lot of trappers wont show younger folks how to trap because nobody taught them and why should they teach someone else.A very selfish attitude.
Just my opinion,but I really think that New York in general has some pretty lame sportsmen as far as their support of hunting,fishing,and trapping.I've sat at sport shows trying to get people to sign petitions being sent to our politicians and you wouldn't believe how many refuse to sign and then tell you where to go.It's the very few that support our sports in New York and not the majority.It's too bad the rest wont come around and support the sport they enjoy like the rest of us.

[Raging480]

I am no instructor, but as far as where I work, I am a hunting fanatic, and talk about it all the time.  Some of my friends at work used to hunt, but I have had a hand in lighting the fire again, and we are going to hunt together this fall.  Some other non hunting co-workers have expressed interest in taking it up after spending too much tme with me, lol.  I am raising my two boys towards hunting, but obviously I am not going to ram it down there throats if they don't want to.  I have encouraged my neighbor's kids to hunt, but that hasn't been to successful.  I have a half brother who is 14 this year, and I hope to take him bow hunting this fall.