The ninth annual Luther Marsh Youth Outdoors Day is on Sept. 18, at Luther Marsh Conservation Area.
Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible, since space is limited to 250 students. Students can now register on line at www.youthoutdoorsday.com.
Last year, 250 students attended the event, which offers an opportunity participate in a variety of hands-on hunting and wildlife conservation activities. The one day event is planned in support of students who have an interest in the outdoors. Activities will include bird identification, banding, and calling, birdhouse building, supervised target shooting, wetland habitat rehabilitation, and fly fishing. There will also be a number of demonstrations such as the use of retriever and pointer hunting dogs, humane trapping techniques, bow hunting, and falconry demonstration.
Luther Marsh is part of the Grand River Conservation Authority, and is a multiple use 5,666 hectare wildlife management area home to wetland and upland wildlife including the osprey. It is located 25km west of Orangeville, and 10 km east of Arthur.
“The outdoors has so much to offer youth,” said board member Sharon Grose.
She added, "The great outdoors has so much to offer kids, but sometimes they need a little nudge to discover it – whether it is fishing, birdwatching, camping or simply hiking and enjoying nature. Kids from the city don’t often get a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Youth Outdoors Day exposes a lot of kids to the great outdoors and an opportunity to discover so fun activities.”
She said there are a number of volunteers ready to share their skills – from hunting to fishing to bird banding and wood carving.
Event stations at Luther Marsh are expose kids to a variety of outdoor activities. Station leaders and volunteers share their expertise and provide coaching.
The day’s activities include many activities:
– Archery Participants have an opportunity to shoot at targets with various types of bows;
– Bird identification and banding Retired biology teacher Dave Lamble, of Fergus, will spend the morning bird banding at Luther Marsh. Discover how to identify various birds and get close to waterfowl;
– bird house building Build a wood duck box or owl box that provides nesting locations for those species. Participants can donate the completed box to be placed for increased nesting opportunities or can take it home with them;
– camping What tools are needed for camping? Find out some of the tricks used by experienced campers;
– falconry: Get close to those skilled birds and watch a live demonstration;
– Fish identification and casting Try casting and identifying local fish species;
– fly fishing learn the skill of fly tying and casting with a fly-rod;
– nature’s corner skilled craftsmen demonstrate their trades and kids can examine the details of wood carver;
– pointer and retriever dogs learn about those useful hunting companions and watch them demonstrate their skills.
– target shooting Bob Armstrong, of Mount Forest, will organize a supervised target range. Test your skill at target shooting;
– trapping learn how trapping is done here in Ontario then find out what tools are used and test skills at identifying pelts;
– wetland discovery learn about fish habitat and aquatic species;
– wild turkey display the National Wild Turkey Federation talks about local turkey populations and shows youth how to use a turkey call.
“We want to provide a fun, yet educational day for kids aged 10 to 17, where they can come and safely enjoy a wide variety of hands on hunting, fishing, trapping and outdoor-related activities,” said Grose.
To register go to www.youthoutdoorsday.com or email register@youthoutdoorsday.com.
