Youth hunt and photo contest was a success

According to the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife, for Jeremy Drew, president of the Northern Nevada Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI), youth sportsmen hold a special responsibility as the stewards of our land, wildlife and hunting heritage into the next generation.

That's why he initiated the first Youth Upland Game Hunt Photo Contest to promote the inaugural Youth Upland Game Hunt, which was held the last weekend in September. Despite worries of bad weather, the challenges of a poor hatch and a primarily adult bird population, turnout and enthusiasm were high. The contest garnered over 140 entries, half of which were first-time hunters.

A panel of judges from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, the Carson Valley Chukar Foundation, and the Northern Nevada Chapter Ð SCI deliberated for hours to name five winners.

They are: Mentor Scott Mortimore and youth hunters Jimmy and Chad Mortimore of Sparks; mentor Mike Bratzler and youth hunter Michael Bratzler of Carson City; Mentor Mike Steckel and youth hunter Cody Steckel of Las Vegas; mentor Don Lawson and youth hunter Jessica Lawson of Sparks; and mentor Stacy Trivitt and youth hunter Seth Trivitt of Gardnerville. Winners received prizes ranging from youth shotguns to Sportsmen's Warehouse gift cards.

Those supporting the hunt and photo contest were: Carson Valley Chukar Foundation, Coalition for Nevada's Wildlife, Desert Chapter Ð SCI, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Ð Reno, and Northern Nevada Chapter Ð SCI.