Elk NetworkWatch: RMEF-Supported First Hunt Foundation Helps Kids Learn to Hunt

General | December 9, 2022

Boys and girls ages 12 to 16 who never had the opportunity to hunt big game recently that chance in Washington.

The First Hunt Foundation along with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other partner groups hosted the Chris Christensen Memorial Youth Deer Camp August 26-28, 2022, at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area in northeast Washington.

Twelve youth who met the criteria worked with mentors to learn about hunting, gear, firearm safety and marksmanship, field dressing and how to cook meat. To qualify, youth needed to register, complete a hunter education course prior to camp, buy a hunting license, not have any close family that regularly hunts big game and have not successfully hunted big game previously.

The camp is in honor of Jerry “Chris” Christensen, who served two decades in the U.S. Army Special Forces and worked for WDFW 35 years on several different wildlife areas and refuges.

“I want to give a special thanks to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,” said Rick Brazell, First Hunt Foundation president and founder.

Dating back to 2015, RMEF supplied grant funding for First Hunt Foundation mentored hunts.

(Video source: First Hunt Foundation)