A group of nearly 20 youths, ages 12 to 16, began the first of five days in the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Firearms Safety and Outdoor Skills Program Monday, July 26 at the WCSO Firing Range in Otter Creek.

Students received training in a variety of areas that introduced them to the lifetime sport of hunting. The skills included map and compass reading, observation of wildlife and reading wildlife signs, developing outdoor skills, field first aid and safe use of rifles, shotguns and archery equipment.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) assisted with the program which featured classroom discussion as well as practical outdoor activities and the opportunity to learn how to shoot firearms and the art of archery.

School Resource Officers Captain Chris Savary, Lt. Ray Johnson, Sgt. Joe Page and Deputies Carl Allen, Mitch Revels and Scott Rojas shared information on conflict resolution, bullying and the Internet and controlled substances.

As the students shot off a variety of weapons including rifles, shotguns and semi-automatic weapons, they learned about the safe handling of the weapons and hunter ethics and watched as Sgt. Page demonstrated the awesome power of an automatic weapon.

“This is the most dangerous part of the training, but also the most fun,” said Deputy Carl Allen, SRO at Wakulla Middle School. Training Lt. Fred Nichols kept a careful eye on the students as they shot skeet. Nichols offered tips on the best way to make sure the shooters hit their moving target. While some of the youths had shooting experience, several of them had never picked up a gun before. Lt. Nichols said the program was designed to give students the fundamentals of shooting. Deputy Allen added that it is enjoyable to teach youths how to shoot before they develop any bad habits.

Major Maurice Langston said it is important for students to have an opportunity to learn how to be safe around bows and arrows and firearms at a young age as well as creating a greater appreciation for wildlife and hunting regulations.

The 40-hour course took place over five days and the students received lunch as part of the program. The food for the program was donated by the Wakulla County business community. The instructors took regular water breaks to beat the heat. Despite the sizzling weather, the youths said they had a great time.

At the conclusion of the course, the youths took part in a competition and received their Hunter Education Certification which is required to acquire a hunting license. The program concluded Friday, July 30.

Top photo-Lt. Fred Nichols helps a young shooter with her form. Second from the top-Deputy Carl Allen and Sgt. Joe Page talk about gun safety before shooting. Third from the top-Youths get ready to shoot. Bottom Photo-Young archers hit their mark.