Free youth shooting event is Oct. 24 at Council Grove

Council Grove Reservoir will host the 12th annual Council Grove Youth Event on Oct. 24.

The Chisholm Trail Safari Club, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are part of six groups that sponsor the event, said Brent Konen, Council Grove Wildlife Area manager.

Instructors will help 50 kids ages 11 to 16 learn about shotgun and archery shooting, and shooting safety. The event is free, and all ammunition, firearms and archery gear are provided. No experience is necessary.

“I’ve had kids show up who’ve never shot a shotgun before and you can tell they’re a little scared and nervous,” said Konen. “But they start working with our instructors, they start breaking some targets and by the time they leave they’re asking their parents for shotguns. We’re basically trying to get some kids excited about some shooting sports and hoping they’ll take the next steps in continuing to shoot, and getting into hunting.”

Konen said instructors included certified shotgunning instructors from within Wildlife and Parks as well as game wardens. Hunter safety instructors will be teaching they youth about all kinds of hunting and shooting safety. Shotgun lessons will feature targets coming from a variety of angles, to help youth be prepared for shots they might find in the hunting fields or on some target ranges. The archery range has a number 3D foam animal targets.

Participants are not allowed to bring their own shotguns or archery gear.

A free lunch is provided for the kids and adults who accompany them. Prizes will be awarded by drawing, including a youth model .243 rifle, with a scope, provided by the Chisholm Trail Safari Club.

For more information and to register, call Konen at 620-767-5900.

This story was originally published October 10, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Free youth shooting event is Oct. 24 at Council Grove."