Arizona Chapter of SCI was proud to once again host the Annual Junior Jack Kamp.  In addition to the usual assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the chapter was also grateful to have members of the Phoenix Chapter of SCI help with manpower and financial assistance.
“Our chapter believes in supporting youth camps because we need to make sure the next generation of hunters are given safe, structured learning opportunities,” said AZSCI Executive Director, Bobby Boido.
The camp is held each March in southern Arizona.  This year’s camp hosted more than two dozen young hunters, all of them graduates of a Hunter Education course, and another two dozen mentors to help around camp and in the field.
Jim Heffelfinger, Wildlife Science Coordinator with Arizona Game and Fish, spoke with the hunters prior to taking the field about rabbit biology, safe hunting techniques and the importance of field care.  He also cooked up a batch of jackrabbit stew on the final night of camp for everyone to enjoy.
Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Officers were on hand to review hunter safety guidelines and to help hunters and mentors find a good place to locate rabbits.  Hunters were also given instruction on how to clean their own jackrabbits and given some rabbit recipes to try out when they returned home.
Special thanks to everyone from Arizona Game and Fish, the Phoenix Chapter of SCI and Arizona Chapter of SCI who make this event possible.¬† The biggest thanks goes out to the hunters and their parents for being a part of the future of hunting as a wildlife management tool.–Gary Swingle