The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the SC Department of Natural Resources initiated special youth hunts as early as 1996-97 and now conducts approximately 110 hunts each year. These hunts fall into 5 general categories as follows:

•Youth Dove Hunts
•Youth Deer Hunts
•Youth Raccoon Hunts
•Adult/Youth Turkey Hunts
•Adult/Youth Waterfowl Hunts
•Youth Waterfowl Hunts

In addition, WFF staff provides Adult/Youth...

In 2000, the SC General Assembly created a new statute (50-9-740) that authorizes the SCDNR to designate one or more youth days in addition to the regular season for a species of wild game. The youth days must be held outside of the regular season on a weekend, holiday or other nonschool day and within 14 days before or after the regular open period for that species. Under this law a youth hunter is one who is less than 18 years of age. The SCDNR, under the authority of this law, has...

The Take One – Make One Program (TOMO) was established by SCDNR in January 1999. Since 2004, 286 youth have participated in this program. The TOMO program specifically targets youth and young adults who have not experienced a previous shooting or hunting activity. These youth are paired with volunteer hunting club members and private land owners who sponsor and actively participate in a year-round hunting, fishing and shooting sports mentorship program.

The TOMO program has...

The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) is a national program that supports the shooting sports and hunting thrust of the SCDNR. Youth programs are developed through organizations and schools and supported with equipment and supplies provided by the SCDNR. In 2009, 1,246 students participated on 29 teams at 9 events.

The gun safety and shooting components of the program dovetail nicely with other SCDNR shooting and hunting programs.

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a nation-wide program that provides guidance and support to partners wishing to implement the program in schools within their state. The SCDNR initiated this program in 2005 and now provides the opportunity in 146 schools. SCDNR participates in the program by recruiting schools and has trained 236 teachers and instructors. Eighteen thousand students in the 146 schools are expected to participate in the program during the 2009-10 school...

This is the SCDNR’s most extensive education program. With over 10,000 adult and youth students served each year, it is also the largest classroom-oriented program with DNR instructors. Because all hunters born after June 30, 1979 are required to pass the hunter education course before a hunting license can be obtained, the demand for this course should remain constant or increase slightly over time. Youth participating in the Youth Hunting and Take One-Make One (TOMO) programs are...

The Trailblazer Adventure Program was designed to expose families to outdoor activities during the Trailblazer Adventure Day and offer them the chance to engage in other outdoor related activities with integration partners.

Matching caring adults with a passion for the outdoors with children that want to learn about the outdoors...that's what the Pass It On program is about in a nutshell.

Whether it is fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching, archery, hunting, shooting sports, sailing...or just about any other traditional outdoor activity, we work to provide opportunities for children to learn about them in a safe environment from mentors willing to share their time.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission sponsors youth outdoor expos every May. These expos invite thousands of 5th graders from area schools to get outside and experience fun, conservation-related activities.

Expos are held each year in partnership with the United States Forest Service at the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area, which is reserved by the Commission with a three-day special use permit. Other youth expos occur at the Commission's nature and education centers.

At each...

The Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program (Arkansas NASP) is the official Arkansas affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program.

Archery is an activity in which people from all walks of life and almost every size and ability can participate. Archery is also a great way to sharpen skills and build success in the classroom; in addition, it is also a relatively simple and inexpensive sport to learn and pursue.

Arkansas NASP is focused on providing a...