The Barry County Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association, (QDMA) has started a youth program for girls and boys ages 10 to 16. Named the Rack Pack, it’s the first pack to hold official meetings in an area spanning upper Indiana and Ohio and all of the state of Michigan, said spokesman Rob Miller.
The grass-roots program intends to create and enrich future hunters and leaders in conservation.
In its first meeting, two girls and 10 boys and their parents, heard speaker Mike Flohr explain the Quality Management Program, what it’s about, its functions and procedures, Miller said.
Two more volunteers were introduced; Rob’s dad Walt Miller and Leo Hendershot.
Their first activity was identifying animal tracks, “quite a challenge for the kids and parents,” he said.
The group will learn fire arms safety and shot placement from Hendershot, using air guns and indoor targets for practice. “Leo is a hunter safety instructor,” Miller explained.
The kids have varying levels of experience, but all will have the right level training of before they go into the field, “likely for a squirrel or rabbit hunt later this year,” he said,
Miller is pleased with the initial turnout of a dozen kids for its first meeting; he’s hoping to get more youth for the club at the annual QDMA banquet Jan. 20 at the Barry County Expo at 5 p.m. The event will feature games, gun drawings, raffles, live and silent auctions.
To join the group, or for more information, contact Rob Miller at 269-838-6184.
The Rack Pack will meet the third Wednesdays of the month, at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Hastings on Woodlawn Avenue.//
More about QDMA from its webpage:
Because of its growth and strong support from the professional wildlife community, QDMA is considered the most respected and influential whitetail organization in North America.
As a result, QDMA serves as the leading advocate for the wise management of deer and the protection of our deer-hunting heritage.
The organization maintains strong ties with its members, other conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, and other groups with an interest in deer hunting. Since 2006, QDMA has engaged on nearly 800 state, federal and provincial management and policy issues impacting wildlife, habitat and our hunting heritage.
