Youth Hunting Program of Florida

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Youth Hunting Program of Florida
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Youth Hunting Program of Florida

• History
• Program
• Questions

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Youth Hunting Program of Florida

• YHPF gives youth a way to participate in the
  hunting heritage
• Modeled after the Texas Youth Hunting Program
• Started in Florida with support from Texas Youth
  Hunting Program and Shikar-Safari funding

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Youth Hunting Program of Florida

• Mission
• To increase the number of youth involved in
  educational, safe, mentored hunting activities
  through the opportunity to participate in the
  hunting heritage.

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Youth Hunting Program of Florida

• Mission
• To increase the number of youth involved in
  educational, safe, mentored hunting activities
  through the opportunity to participate in the
  hunting heritage.

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Youth Hunting Program of Florida

• Mission
• To increase the number of youth involved in
  educational, safe, mentored hunting activities
  through the opportunity to participate in the
  hunting heritage.

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Four Key Ingredients

• Youth Hunters
• Volunteers
• Landowners
• Funding

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Youth Hunters Recruited

• Hunter Safety Instructors
• FWC Promotions
• Schools/Clubs
• Boy Scouts
• FWC Advertisements/ Web Site
• YHPF Brochure

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Volunteers Recruited

• Five Huntmaster Workshops Held
• 61 Trained Huntmasters

• Exceeded Goals for training volunteers
• Still needed in NW

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Volunteers Needed

• Hunter Safety Coordinators
• Cooks
• Guides/Mentors

• Each youth hunt needs volunteer
• Huntmasters

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Landowners Recruited

• Florida Wildlife Magazine
• FWC Hunting Regulations
• Florida Cattlemen's Magazine
• Quality Whitetails Magazine
• Letters to all landowners receiving doe tags
• Landowner Meetings

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Accomplishments

• Exceeded Goals for Training Huntmasters
• Exceeded Goals for 2nd Year Hunts
• 23 for 2007-08
• 171 Youth
• 338 Youth/Adults Mentored

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Major Funding

• Shikar Safari Grant
• FWC/Pittman-Robertson funds
• License check-off
• Friends of NRA

• Florida Sportsmens Conservation Association
• Future of Hunting in Florida

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Current Needs

• Land to hunt in south Florida
• Volunteers in north Florida

• Scholarships for needy hunters (30 _at_ 75 per
  hunter)
• Promotional funds

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Current Needs

• Additional Funding for State Coordinator
• Vehicle
• Travel Expenses
• Promotional Funds
• Volunteer Support Staff

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Encouragement to get involved

• Raise funds
• Find land
• Sponsor youth hunters
• Coordinate youth hunts

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Encouragement to get involved
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The End!

• Questions?
• Comments?
• Criticisms?