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Fish and Game

Youth Programs

The Hunter Information & Training Program is heavily involved with partner conservation groups promoting youth programs around the state.

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

Group of young archers in a classroom with their bows The National Archery in the Schools Program is a joint venture between state departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners (listed below). The program promotes student education, physical education and participation in the life long sport of archery. The program’s focus is to provide International Style Target Archery training in physical education classes grades 4 - 12. See http://www.nasparchery.com/activea.asp for more information.

Junior Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES)

If you are 17 years old or younger and you like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or just being outside with your family, JAKES is the program for you. JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The National Wild Turkey Federation started the JAKES program as a way to give kids the chance to explore their outdoor world through hundreds of fun events held across North America. During these events, JAKES members get to learn cool skills that they can take to the field to stay safe and have fun.

Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC)

Five hunters outdoors, two of which are aiming their rifles at a pheasant Recognized as the most comprehensive youth hunting program anywhere in North America, the youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is NRA's "graduate studies" program in outdoor skills and safety training for young hunters. Open only to those who have completed hunter-safety training at the state-or provincial-level, the program is conducted under simulated hunting conditions to provide the best practical environment for reinforcing and testing a young hunter's skills.

Rabbit Creek Youth Shooting League

Rabbit Creek Youth Shooting League is built on the foundation of positive reinforcement and individual improvement. In the youth league there is absolutely no pressure to "win." We will assist each league member in setting realistic personal goals for improvement over the course of the league activities. We always need parents to get involved with coaching and provide training for parents who are interested in coaching their child's team. The clay target sports provide a lifetime of shooting opportunities. Success in the clay target sports emphasizes teamwork, endurance, fine motor skills, psychological focus and hand-eye coordination. Several clay target sports, including trap and skeet are Olympic events!

Youth Conservation Camps

A young hunter and her dog with a pheasant she brought down Youth Conservation Camps promote hands-on learning of hunting, fishing, conservation and related outdoor skills. Camp activities include classes in Basic Hunter Education, firearms safety, shooting, wildlife identification, archery, spin fishing, fly fishing, map & compass, GPS, survival, basic camping skills and more! Campers who complete the Basic Camp may earn Basic Hunter Education Certification from the State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Both camps (Basic and Advanced) include one overnight camping trip The ACC is made possible by a cooperative effort between the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. (ADF&G), the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska (HHFA), the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), the Friends of the NRA, the Alaska Interior Marksmanship Committee (AIM-COMM), and many community sponsors and volunteers.

Other Youth Shotgun Leagues

These leagues offer trap, skeet, five-stand, or sporting clays shooting opportunities are being expanded each year throughout the state. Birchwood Shoot Park in Chugiak and Grouse Ridge Shooting Park in Wasilla both have active youth programs. A number of these young shooters have taken their shooting talents to the college level and even to the Olympics.

Youth Small Game Hunts

Three young hunters with a bunch of pheasants lined up These hunts take our young shooters into the field to experience the actual hunt. Each participant must have completed a Basic Hunter Education Course to be eligible. Safety Coaches are provided for each young hunter, with the harvest of the day being field dressed and taken home by the young hunters. The most popular small game hunts involve pheasants, chukars, hares, ptarmigan and grouse. Watch the HIT Clinic Calendar for these events.