Eight boys became hunters, Oct. 27, during the Georgia Chapter of SCI Youth Hunt in Rockmart, Ga. Two boys took deer, while the rest at least caught glimpses of the deer and wildlife on the property of the Wallace family, owners of Adventure Outdoors.

Two of Eight New Hunters Take Does But All Get Opportunity Thanks to Volunteers

The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International recently partnered with Foundation for Outdoor Kids among others and took several young boys and their fathers hunting for the first time.

Eight youth hunters met at the Wallace family farms in Rockmart, Georgia, for a day of fun and learning about hunting and the outdoors. This was the first hunting experience for many of them, and in most cases, their parent as well.

The Georgia Chapter of SCI organizes several hunts like this one around the state annually to recruit new hunters and to make sure they learn responsible, safe hunting practices.

“It is a pleasure to introduce these young people to hunting, and to give them the opportunity to harvest a deer today,” said Lester Richardson, Georgia Chapter president, who was at the event. “But I get so much out of it, too! Just being around their enthusiasm and excitement, and talking with the parents of new hunters, energizes me as well!”

Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife professionals gave the kids an overview of deer biology, wildlife conservation, game laws and firearm safety.

Following lunch, volunteers worked with the new hunters at a shooting range where the kids learned to shoot rimfire and centerfire rifles.

Before heading out to the woods for an afternoon of deer hunting, attendees heard from David Smith, the founder of the Foundation for Outdoor Kids, as he presented “What’s in my Backpack?” “Smitty” had each child take something out of his hunting backpack and described how each item would be used while afield hunting.

After the demonstration, each youth was given their own backpack with a few items to use while in the field including an orange vest, binoculars, a flashlight and a Georgia SCI hat.

After the classroom discussions and time on the range, the youth hunters went afield with their parent and a volunteer hunting guide for an afternoon deer hunt. Two of the hunters were successful in taking their first deer, but each new hunter, guardian, and mentor made a lifetime of memories.

“Thank you for guiding my son, and thank you to SCI for this experience,” said Derrick Curry of Stone Mountain, Ga., who hunted with his son, Christian, 10.

“I really liked hunting,” said Christian, who watched over a green field from a shooting house, caught glimpses of deer running in the woods, geese overhead and a beautiful west Georgia sunset.

The hunts took place on the land of the Wallace family, the owners of Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna. Eric Wallace and wife Laura as well as Nick Wallace were on hand to organize the logistics, encourage the youth and make sure all were safe and had what they needed for a fun day.

The Georgia Chapter of SCI covers all costs associated with the processing of each deer and returns the venison to the hunter’s family for consumption.

The annual Youth Deer Hunt was made possible by numerous SCI members and volunteers, and partners including the Foundation for Outdoor Kids, Eric Wallace and the Wallace Family, Adventure Outdoors, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Truth in Nature is an outdoor ministry that exists to help young men from fatherless, single-parent homes. There are nearly 30 chapters around the U.S. Visit truthinnature.org for more information.

“Thank you to all of the organizations, companies and individuals who sponsored, donated or volunteered to help make this a great day,” said Marc Stewart of the Georgia SCI Chapter. “The Wallace family in particular was exceedingly generous to allow all of us to hunt on their land and use their fine facilities.”

The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting and protecting our hunting heritage through education, conservation, and humanitarian efforts. Founded in 1981, the Georgia Chapter is one of the oldest SCI chapters in the world.

If you or your organization would like to do donate or partner with the Georgia Chapter of SCI to do a similar youth, adult, or veteran event, please contact us at gasafariclub@gmail.com.

Lester Richardson (center), Georgia SCI president, takes a moment Oct. 27 with new hunters, Christian Curry, 10, Tyler Billups, 10, and their dads, Derrick Curry and Thomas Billups, before the youth hunting event in Rockmart, Ga. The boys are part of Boy Scout Troop 1996 out of Lithonia, Ga.

Nathaniel Ebtinger, 9, took his first deer during the Georgia Chapter of SCI Youth Hunt, Oct, 27, in Rockmart, Ga. His father, Nico, was with him and Seth Williams, wildlife technician with the Division of Natural Resources, served as their guide. Two of the eight new hunters took a deer.