Overcast skies and some light haze did not dampen the spirits of a dozen youngsters who participated in the annual junior pheasant hunt held on Saturday, September 8 at the grounds of the Bally Sportsmen’s Association in the hills above Bally.
As part of the safety requirements of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, all youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult licensed hunter over 21 years of age. For the youth hunt, however, the youth need not yet be licensed, but they must have completed the Hunter-Trapper Education program of PGC. All game laws, including the wearing of safety orange, must be followed.
Among the several successful hunters was Drew Stauffer of Barto, a tenth grade student at Boyertown Area Senior High School. The 15-year-old bagged two male pheasants, the daily limit, using a 20 gauge Mossberg shotgun. Drew was accompanied by his father Dan Stauffer. Drew’s post-high school plans include a college degree in the financial field.
Drew, incidentally, is a licensed hunter, and has been at it for several years. He has had several successful deer hunts and also enjoys squirrel hunting.
According to PGC regulations, junior hunters fall in the age group 12-16, but 11 year olds who will reach their 12th birthday by June 30, 2017 may also be licensed. One such 11 year old participant was Courtney Gero, a 6th grader at Washington Elementary School, who was accompanied by her father Joe.
The event at Bally, the only one held this year in Berks County, is open to registration by anyone, and there were youth hunters from as far away as Philadelphia. The coordinator for the event was Brandon Frederick, who serves as the club’s vice president. Other club officers include John Moll, President; Gene Nowacki membership secretary; Mark Andreyko, treasurer; and Christine Crowthers, recording secretary.
