The Division of Wildlife Resources and Ducks Unlimited will hold a free clinic on Saturday, Sept. 24 to help youth and adults sharpen their waterfowl hunting skills.

This year’s Waterfowl Hunting Clinic will run from 8 a.m. to noon at the Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area east of Elmo.

“We’re excited to hold this waterfowl clinic for the third year,” says Walt Maldonado, DWR regional wildlife recreation coordinator. “There will be plenty of fun and practical opportunities for both new and experienced hunters. There’s something here for everybody.”

The clinic will feature several stations designed to help hunters learn and practice skills such as duck identification, shooting from a duck blind, duck calling, decoy arrangement and hunting with dogs. Youth participants will be able to shoot clay pigeons (targets) from a duck blind. The targets will be thrown at various angles to simulate different hunting situations.

A variety of shotguns will be available for adults and youth to use. The shotguns include small guns with light loads. The light loads will help young shooters enjoy their introduction to the sport without worrying about recoil when they shoot.

“Participants will learn which firearms and ammunition are best for waterfowl hunting, how to use proper shooting technique and other skills necessary for a safe and successful hunt,” Maldonado says.

The Desert Ducks chapter of Ducks Unlimited in Carbon County has donated a shotgun that will be awarded to a participant 14 years of age or younger. In addition to possibly winning a shotgun, Casey Olsen, Ducks Unlimited chapter chairman, says there are additional rewards for those who attend the clinic.

“You can also watch trained retrieving dogs in action,” Olsen says. “There will be door prizes for the youth—specifically tailored to waterfowl hunters—as well as a prize for the best duck caller.”

As in previous years, the clinic will culminate in a duck calling contest. Before the contest, inexperienced duck callers can get a crash course in duck calling. They’ll also have time to practice.

For more information about the free clinic, call the DWR’s Southeastern Region office at 435-613-3700.

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