Drake Waterfowl - Youth Hunting

Drake Waterfowl Systems was created out of a passion for the great outdoors and the pursuit of waterfowl. We are hunters because we grew up hunting in and around family/friends who took the time to take us hunting. Thankfully our dads, uncles and friends before us had a desire to pass on the traditions and heritage of our great sport. Everyone at Drake Waterfowl believes that the most important key to the future of hunting and shooting sports is teaching our youth the joys of the outdoors and hunting - passing on the tradition by getting youth involved at a very early age.

Below you can read about some fine organizations that Drake Waterfowl supports because of their missions and their dedication to preserve our hunting heritage. It is the drive and ambition that we all share. The results from supporting these groups will be more and more individuals will become participants in our sporting events. We hope that you will consider supporting these organizations as they strive to promote a long lasting future for hunting and shooting sports.

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Project ChildSafe
Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices. Project ChildSafe is an expansion of the Project HomeSafe program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). It is supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant and is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime to create safer neighborhoods. DOJ selected NSSF to administer Project ChildSafe based on its experience in operating Project HomeSafe. NSSF also provides funding to Project ChildSafe.

NSSF, with over 2,500 members, is the shooting sports industry's largest and most diverse trade association. Formed in 1961, NSSF manages a variety of outreach programs with a special emphasis on efforts to promote firearm safety education to all gun owners.

Project ChildSafe partners with governors, lieutenant governors, U.S. Attorneys, community leaders and law enforcement to distribute free safety kits to gun owners in all states in order to promote safe storage of firearms in the home.

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Ducks Unlimited
As a Ducks Unlimited Greenwing, you're going to do something for wetlands and wildlife today and tomorrow. Today, your youthful outlook and energy will be part of the largest wetlands conservation organization in the world. Tomorrow, you'll be an involved adult who cares, helping us conserve North American wetlands habitat for all the tomorrows to come.

Participation in waterfowl hunting fuels the passion of many DU members to give something back to the resources that make their outdoor experiences so enjoyable.

DU was founded by a group of waterfowl hunters more than 65 years ago, and today 90 percent of DU members are hunters. Through the support of this sportsman constituency, DU has been able to conserve more than 10 million acres of habitat across North America-in the areas that are most important to ducks and geese.

Every year, DU spends more than 80 percent of the revenue it raises directly on habitat conservation projects. And the community of Ducks Unlimited supporters has spurred a unique lifestyle that revolves around a passion for waterfowl hunting and other outdoor activities. Ducks Unlimited celebrates this lifestyle and explores the role of hunters in conservation through its flagship magazine, its award-winning weekly TV show, daily radio show, website, and other communications vehicles.

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STEP OUTSIDE
It's a great resource for current target shooters, archers, hunters and anglers. Here you can learn how to share your favorite activity with friends or family members who have never had an opportunity to try traditional outdoor sports.

Research shows that 31 million men and 17 million women would accept an invitation to go target shooting if invited, and interest in the other activities is just as high. They just need a special invitation from you! Think of friends and family you can invite to STEP OUTSIDE with you the next time you spend a day in the outdoors.

STEP OUTSIDE can help make your first experience with a newcomer fun and rewarding. You can find information on how to teach newcomers, how to work with children, safety pointers, and more. Plus, we offer a database of beginner education programs to help your guests continue their newest favorite activity.

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Delta Waterfowl Youth Hunting Intro
When is your kid going to drag you out of bed at 4:30 am with cries of excitement? Hunting season of course! Taking a youth hunting is an unparalleled opportunity to teach them not just how to shoot ducks, but about the whole culture and tradition of hunting. Hunting teaches youth the ethical use of renewable natural resources such as waterfowl. A hunt is also a marvelous place to teach respect for all living things and to introduce kids to the natural world.

Delta Waterfowl and other pro-hunting organizations are battling the declining number of waterfowlers in Canada and the United States through active promotion of youth hunting. You can do your part to preserve waterfowling by taking a young person out with you this fall. Their excitement and enthusiasm will be all the reward you will need. Waterfowling has a long, proud tradition and it is up to the hunters of today to ensure that this tradition is carried on by our young people.