EDUCATION

As part of our effort to promote wildlife conservation and protect our hunting heritage for future generations, the Georgia Chapter is actively engaged in educating the next generation of sportsmen and women through various events and programs, including the Georgia R3 Initiative, Annual Youth Deer Hunt, “First Timer” Mentored Deer Hunt, and Introduction to Hunting Firearms.

Georgia’s R3 Initiative

The Georgia Chapter is a proud financial contributor to Georgia’s R3 Initiative; an effort of recruiting, retaining, and reactivating (R3) hunters and recreational target shooters.  The goals associated with the R3 Initiative are simple – increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports, and through educational efforts, increase the public acceptance and support of hunting and the shooting sports. The suggested strategies and actions to accomplish these goals are defined in the Georgia Hunting Action Plan.

Annual Youth Hunt

Introducing the next generation is pivotal to ensuring the future of our hunting heritage. As part of the Georgia Chapter’s efforts to pass on the tradition of hunting, we host an annual Youth Deer Hunt. Each year, private landowners generously offer their land to our Chapter for a day to introduce children to hunting. Georgia Chapter members and supporters serve as mentors/guides for this event.

Youth Deer Hunt participants are treated to a full day of educational discussions presented by Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife professionals, including game wardens, hunting and shooting education specialists, and wildlife biologists. During several presentations and discussions, participants learn about hunting, the shooting sports, laws and regulations, and wildlife conservation. In addition to the educational briefings, the youth hunters spend time at the shooting range learning to shoot both rimfire and centerfire rifles.

Hunt participants get to enjoy an afternoon in the deer woods with their mentor – many of them being successful in harvesting their first deer. The Georgia Chapter of SCI covers the cost associated with processing the deer meat and returns the venison to the families for consumption. Read about our 2020 Youth Deer Hunt at Georgia SCI Educates New Hunters During Annual Youth Deer Hunt.

“First Timer” Mentored Deer Hunt

Similar to the Youth Deer Hunt, the “First Timer” Mentored Deer Hunt is used as a recruitment tool to introduce new people to hunting. This hunt is open to people of all ages. The agenda will follow the same one used for the Youth Deer Hunt, including presentations from Georgia DNR, allowing hunt participants to learn many aspects of hunting, while also spending time at the shooting range and ending the day with an afternoon deer hunt. The inaugural “First Timer” Mentored Deer Hunt was held in January of 2021. Read more about it at SCI Georgia Chapter Hosts “First Timers” Inaugural Mentored Hunt.

Introduction to Hunting Firearms

As more people continue to purchase firearms for the first time and more become interested in learning how to shoot and hunt, the Georgia Chapter of SCI created a spin-off event specifically for new and beginner shooters. The “Introduction to Hunting Firearms” event teaches new shooters the very basics of rifles and shotguns. From how to safely handle a firearm, to looking through the scope, operating the firearm, and ultimately pulling the trigger.

The Chapter’s inaugural Introduction to Hunting Firearms event was held in September 2020 at the Beretta Shooting Grounds by High Adventure Company. We had 30 participants at this event, ranging in ages from six years old to over 70 years old. For more information about this event, see Georgia SCI Hits the Target with Introduction to Hunting Firearms Event.