MDF Chapter Rewards

Third Annual Women's and Kids' Day

By Kevin Townsend

One June 21, 2003, the Mother Lode Chapter of the MDF held its third annual women's and kids day at the Mother Lode Gun club in Jamestown, Calif. The six-hour event wasn't long enough for many of the guests.

The day started with a game-tracking seminar led by Tim Townsend and Steve Goforth. They instructed the group on all aspects of trailing a wounded animal. They showed how blood drops can indicate the direction of travel and how blood and hair color can indicate the location of the wound. The group did a great job following the sign that led to a real buck.

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) donated a deer used as evidence in a poaching case for use as a training aid. Steve Goforth, owner and operator of Timberline Taxidermy in Sonora, led a camping seminar. Steve showed how to remove the cape from a trophy animal and gave tips on how to take care of the hide in order to assure a quality mount.

Tim Townsend instructed the group on archery and bow hunting. Most of those in attendance tried their hand on the archery range. Bill and Billy Youngman, Bob and John Terry, Gary Meador, Larry Allen, Ed Friel, Fred Vigil and Bobby Robbins worked with the group on the rifle range. Muzzleloaders, rim fires and a .243 Winchester kept the youngsters happy while Bob Terry and Bill Youngman let the adults shoot several rounds of their .338 Ultra Mag and .30-378 Weatherby ammo. Steve Boughers also supplied a brick of 22 ammo for the event.

Ed Friel showed the group how to safely load and use muzzleloaders. The kids enjoyed their time with the guns and were sad to see that portion of the event come to an end. California DFG game warden Carl Copeland talked about game laws and hunting. Carl also explained why loaded guns shouldn't be carried in and around vehicles. Kevin Townsend explained the basics of GPS and the importance of maps and compasses. Bobby Klein and Cyndy Goforth fixed a complimentary lunch of burgers, hot dogs, chips and a soda for the more than 60 people in attendance.

Most of the youngsters who attend the event were currently enrolled in a hunter safety class. The event covered similar items as the hunter safety class, proving to be very fun and useful for that group.

A special thank you to the Mother Lode Gun Club and the California DFG for their help in making this year's event a success.