Do It Yourself: Hunting Projects

Guns are an integral part of the hunting culture.

For a hunting project, a presentation that provides details and instructions on a hunting expedition from beginning to end can be interesting and informative. Incorporate props, demonstrations and samples of food and hunting attire to explain the process clearly and vividly. A hunting project or demonstration can be presented to those interested in becoming hunters or as a way to offer new ideas and techniques to those with hunting experience.

Things You'll Need

• Hunting and gun licenses
• Hunting clothing
• Guns and ammunition
• Hunting accessories
• Hunting dog
• Map
• Game meat/meal samples

Instructions

1. Explain to the group how a person acquires a hunting license or hunting permit and a gun permit. The rules and regulations will vary from state to state and regarding the type of hunting planned. For example, some states do not require a person to have a license for a hunting rifle, while others do. The same is true of hunting licenses and permits. When they are required by the state, hunters can typically apply and pay for the licenses and permits at a local government office or on the state's website. Pass around an actual hunting license and gun license to people attending the demonstration.

2. Dress in appropriate hunting attire or arrange a fashion show to display the different types of clothes that can be worn while hunting. Traditional camouflage is popular among hunters, but many hunters choose to wear neon and black camouflage. Bright colors make them visible to other hunters, but animals such as deer cannot detect the bright color.

3. Present a variety of guns, ammunition and hunting accessories to the group. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different pieces of equipment as well as the price points and ranges of cost. Make sure the firearms are not loaded and placed on safety.

4. Discuss the proper safety procedures used when handling firearms and hunting in areas with other hunters.

5. Bring in a hunting dog to the presentation and discuss the advantages to using such the dog, which breeds work best for hunting and the processes for training a hunting dog.

6. Display a map for the group and outline and highlight the acceptable areas for hunting and where hunting is prohibited in your area. Make note of which game is acceptable to hunt and which is protected. Discuss the various seasons for hunting and the game assigned to the particular season.

7. Conduct a cooking demonstration on how to prepare game meat, for example, venison. Cook the venison and provide samples to the group as a part of the project. Venison stew is one way to prepare venison that would be easy for providing samples.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Project and Exhibit Ideas with 4-H Shooting Sports
• Buck Mafia: Tips for the 2010 Rut: Seam McCosh
• DeerHuntersClub.com: How Whitetail Deer See Us, The Hunter In The Woods: Bruce Raymond
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: 2010 Resident Hunting, Fishing and Other Outdoor Recreational Licenses
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Department of Fish and Game: Calendar 2011 Licenses and Permits

Resources

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Hunting Information