GRAFTON, Ill. – Young hunters between the ages of 10-17 can apply now for the Youth Wingshooting Clinics and Pheasant Hunts scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County and Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) in Randolph County.
The Pere Marquette and WSRC Youth Clinics and Hunts have been popular late winter/early spring additions to the IDNR Wingshooting and Youth Pheasant Hunting Programs.
At both events, young hunters will participate in a wingshooting clinic during the morning. National Sporting Clays Association/Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Certified Wingshooting Instructors will teach the wingshooting clinic. Young hunters will practice safe shotgun handling and operation while advancing their wingshooting skills during the clinic. The pheasant hunt will take place during the afternoon. Young hunters must have successfully completed an approved Hunter Safety Course and have a valid hunting license to participate.
Co-sponsors assist the IDNR in hosting the events, providing funding for the clay targets, target and field shot shells, and lunch for the young hunters. Through the assistance of some of their members, co-sponsors also provide bird dogs, bird dog handlers, and hunting guides.
At Pere Marquette, co-sponsors include Illinois Conservation Foundation; Alwerdt’s Pheasant Farm; Bollini Taxidermy; Channel-Seedsmanship At Work; Clemens Insurance; Ducks Unlimited Jersey County Chapter; Friends of Pere Marquette State Park; Fur Takers of America; Green Roof Kennels; Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources; Illinois National Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trial Association; Migratory Waterfowl Hunters; National Wild Turkey Federation Midwest Gobblers Chapter; Olin/Winchester; Pfister Seed Company; Quail Forever Illinois Pioneer Chapter; Todd Parish – Attorney At Law; Ward Financial Services, and Whitworth-Horn-Goetten Insurance Agency.
At the WSRC, co-sponsors include Illinois Conservation Foundation, Friends of the WSRC; National Wild Turkey Federation Randolph County Cutters and Strutters Chapter,
