3rd Youth Deer Hunting Day a Record Success

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) reports that a total of 1,195 deer were checked electronically on Saturday September 24th during the 3rd Youth Deer Hunting Day.  Matt Knox, VDGIF Deer Project Coordinator said this is up 82% from the 657 check electronically last year. Knox noted, "that after two consecutive years of terrible deer hunting weather on the annual youth deer hunting day, we finally got a break. Saturday was not perfect, but it was much better than the rain of 2009 and the heat of 2010."

DGIF states that last year the final youth day total, including those deer checked at check stations, ended up being 1,124 and if this pattern holds, it is safe to assume that 2,000 or more deer were taken by youth deer hunters this past Saturday. DGIF credits the success of this special hunting day to the adult mentors who took time off from other routine fall Saturday activities to give these youngsters a memorable day afield and create a new tradition. VSSA agrees with DGIF that if you took a young hunter afield last Saturday, you created a unique memory and hopefully started a "new tradition" for the last Saturday in September to coincide with National Hunting & Fishing Day.

Hat tip the DGIF Outdoor Report.