I went to a program held by the DNR called B.O.W or Becoming and Outdoors Woman. Its my third year going. Mom was supposed to go to but she couldn't find anyone to watch my younger sisters so i went alone. Had a blast. Quite a few people remembered me from last year! The first night (Friday) my class was Fish and Game Cleaning. I learned how to pluck a Chukar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukar (type of game bird) I kept the wings and a pair of feet Also watched the instructor and one student each skin a squirrel, and learned how to fillet a fish My second class (Sat morning) was Rifle/Handgun. Shot 357s and 45s, and even got to shoot an M-16! (everyone go OOHHH!!! and AAHHH!!!). Next class (Sat afternoon) was Archery, which was fun. We got to use Flu-flus (A arrow fitted with many feather fletches spiraled around the arrow shaft. The arrow can only be shot a very short distance due to the amount of wind drag on the feathers.). What we did was got into stance, then leaned back and pointed towards the sky, then let loose, and watched the arrows fly My last class (which was this morning) was Birding. Saw a few species I hadn't seen before, like a Thrasher. Had awsome meals, made some new friends... definitely going back next year *lol*
It sounds like a lot of fun, Bip! Skinning and plucking are not my favourite activities actually, I'd rather take the fish.
I've had to pluck pheasants in my time and skin a rabbit but I hated doing both I'm afraid. A gamekeeper friend dropped them off for us and I didn't want to offend him but I'd rather just buy meat from the butchers. It certainly sounds ike you had a great time though Jen. I'd like to have tried the archery but would probably have ended up with the arrow stuck in ME!! It's good to know you made new friends and got re-aquainted with people you'd met before. What a pity your mother couldn't be with you.
That B.O.W.course sounds very interesting Bip. Do they teach you which wild plants are edible and how to live off the land?
Netty, there is a Wild Edibles and Wildflowers class which I took last year. I would post more but Im short on time, being as Im only on lunch right now
