The number of young people interested in hunting is declining dramatically. This is a serious concern to wildlife agencies, and should be to all hunters. (Look at the lack of hunters in Britan and loss of many hunting privlages there.)

In the past, all Utah hunters were pheasant hunters. I’m sorry to say, that’s a thing of the past. Unfortunately, many are turning to pheasant farms. I don’t believe that’s good for the long term sustainability of hunting. It’s too artificial and too expensive to bring young hunters up in the hunting tradition. It’s the young cohort of hunters that we are not recruiting. It’s upland game hunting (dove, pheasant and rabbit)where they most often gain their passion for hunting.

My answer, Chukars! Chukar hunting in Utah has really taken off. With introductions and the Utah DWR’s chukar-guzzler program in the West Desert (thanks to Bruce Bonebrake’s efforts and the Habitat Account program) Chukar numbers are higher now than they have ever been. There is a five month season and a nice sized bag limit. Chukar hunting is not easy. You have to get out and walk over some rugged country, but man is it worth it.  Kids are young and nimble, they can hack it. So, my suggestion is to get kids out chukar hunting.

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