About This Lesson
I aim to educate school-aged kids on reducing negative interactions with wildlife, providing some specific dos and don'ts—education on Tick and other diseases that affect deer. I will also discuss how hunting in the North Country helps the population control deer and provide students with resources for hunter safety courses, along with the new donation of wild game meat to local food pantries and the offices for aging.
The role of managed hunts for conservation
Every fall, there is an annual two-day deer hunt in some states. This hunt plays an essential role in managing wildlife by reducing overcrowding. However, the role of hunting in conservation can be confusing to many. Education is key to a better understanding of adulthood.
Hunting as a means to manage wildlife
Certain harmful conditions may indicate that hunting would be a valuable means of wildlife management. For instance, research shows that booms in deer populations increase their susceptibility to illness as more individuals come in contact with each other more often, quickly spreading disease and parasites. Herd sizes that exceed the capacity of their habitat also contribute to overbrowsing (eating more food than is available). This translates into adverse health outcomes from starvation and can create habitat loss for other wildlife.
Hunting as a way of life
Hunting also represents a historical land use. a deep connection to the land, and reverence for wildlife. Ethical hunters invest significant time learning to read the woods, understand wildlife behavior, and actively participate in ongoing conservation efforts. Although every hunter hopes to harvest a deer, hunting provides many families a healthy, affordable, and sustainable way to feed themselves. St. Lawrence County has adopted a program for donating wild game meat, and you can learn more on North Country Now and through your local sheriff's office to donate the wild game meat.
How to identify ticks from deer=
Deer ticks, or black-legged ticks, are blood-sucking insects about the size of a sesame seed and have eight black legs. They prefer to feed on larger animals, such as deer, but they will also bite humans.
Deer ticks can spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, though they may also carry other bacteria. They are small and challenging to spot, favoring hidden body areas, such as the armpit or groin.
To prevent serious complications from the bite of a deer tick, it is essential to identify and remove the insect as soon as possible.
Lyme disease is a potentially serious illness that can develop when bacteria pass from black-legged ticks to humans. It can cause a rash at the site of the tick bite, though this may appear elsewhere as bacteria spread.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the United States. The ticks pick up Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria from mice and deer and pass them to humans through their bites.
A rash may appear, Lyme disease complications can affect the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Interested in hunting but unsure where to start
Hunter safety is required to obtain a hunting license and other learn-to-hunt programs. Which initiative provides resources for building community and becoming a safe and ethical hunter.
Before They Hunt: Why Kids Need a Youth Hunting Safety Course
Hunting is a deep tradition for many families. We see it as an opportunity to pass down valuable skills, connect with nature, and create lasting memories. However, there is more to it than just teaching them to aim their gun or bow.
A youth hunting safety course provides the foundation to make their first hunt enjoyable and successful.
A Foundational Knowledge of Firearm and Bow Safety
The primary point of a youth hunting safety course is teaching young hunters how to handle weapons responsibly. Safety lessons reduce accidents and help kids feel confident with their guns while hunting.
Courses cover safely loading, unloading, carrying, and storing firearms and bows. Kids also learn to aim, shoot, and clean their weapons.
Instilling the Importance of Hunting Laws and Ethics
Another core part of any safety course is ensuring young hunters understand the rules and ethics of hunting.
Kids are introduced to bag limits, hunting zones, and season dates, ensuring they always hunt within legal guidelines. Find courses that teach responsible practices, like conserving wildlife populations and respecting private property.
By learning the "why" behind these regulations, young hunters gain an appreciation for their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Youth hunting courses also help kids develop a deep respect for the natural world and the animals they pursue. These courses promote conservation-minded practices and ethical hunting.
Kids learn how regulated hunting contributes to wildlife management and population control. Instructors emphasize taking clean, humane shots to minimize suffering and avoid waste.
This respect for hunting is a gift we pass down to children that they will cherish for life.
Boosting Confidence and Decision-Making Skills
A youth hunting safety course gives children the confidence to use what they learn in real-world situations. Through hands-on practice and expert guidance, young hunters are better prepared to make safe, sound decisions in the field.
Courses simulate field situations, teaching kids to handle challenges like target ID and reacting to unexpected events.
Preparing Youth for Emergency Situations
Youth hunting safety courses teach the skills that prepare kids for situations, including:Accident Response: From minor falls to more serious situations, courses cover the basics of first aid, including treating cuts, sprains, and other common injuries.
Communication in Emergencies: Kids learn the importance of carrying comms, like a two-way radio or cell phone, to call for help if needed.
Equipment Failures: Whether dealing with a jammed firearm or broken sling, kids will learn how to address the issues safely.
These lessons provide peace of mind to parents and instill a sense of responsibility in young hunters.
Promoting Safe Hunting Practices in Groups
Many kids will be hunting alongside family members or friends, so understanding how to hunt safely in a group setting is crucial.
These courses teach about:
Safe Zones of Fire: Courses teach young hunters how to identify and maintain their "safe zone of fire," ensuring nobody's in danger when shooting.
Effective Communication: Kids learn that clear communication with hunting partners matters. From signaling when they see the game to coordinating movements in the field — they'll know what to do.
Increasing Your Peace of Mind as a Parent
Parents often have concerns about whether their child is ready and capable of hunting safely. Courses give the parents peace of mind.
With proper training, parents feel more at ease when allowing their kids to participate in hunting.
Early exposure to safety measures means young hunters will internalize the lessons, eliminating any dangerous habits from forming later. As they grow older, your kids can build on this foundation.
Hunter-Ed Helps Kids Learn to Hunt Safely This is an excellent tool for parents and children of all ages.
A youth hunting safety course is a legal requirement and a vital step in preparing young hunters for success and safety in the field.
For the lesson plan, have the children download the app to a school-issued tablet and interact with it and look around and have them talk about their takeaway from one thing that interested them, or they learned.
References:
Brazier, Yvette. May 24, 2023. Medical News today.Lyme disease: Symptoms, transmission, and treatment
Braddock. Jared.December 3, 2024.Hunter Ed.Before They Hunt: Why Kids Need a Youth Hunting Safety Coarse.
Deer tick: Pictures, identification, and Lyme disease. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/deer-tick?utm_source=ReadNext
https://www.fws.gov/story/hunting-tool-wildlife-management
Hunting as a Tool for Wildlife Management | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/story/hunting-tool-wildlife-management
https://www.hunter-ed.com/blog/why-kids-need-a-youth-hunting-safety-course/
