[M.T. Pockets]

Hello Fabs,

Yes, I'm afraid it is other waterfowl hunters that don't like the youth opener. They think it scares the ducks out of the state before the real opener in two weeks.

I'm a volunteer firearms instructor and I've seen kids in class who don't have anyone to take them hunting. I've taken some of these kids over the years and a couple have turned into fine gun owners and hunters. I hope they take me hunting when I get old.

Now my son is old enough so we get to go for a few years til he turns 16. Then I'll find another kid and take them out. It's fun because there is no pressure on the kid to compete with the "big guys" or groups of other hunters. When you're not hunting you can concentrate on helping the kid out and take shots when they're comfortable. It's a fun day in the field and it gets you back to the basics. The kids aren't rude skybusters or duck snobs. They get a kick out of shooting teal. The adults can learn as much from them as they learn from us.