Southeast Michigan Bowhunters Chapter helps secure hunting's future.
By Ralph Cagle, SCI- SHAP Coordinator
Our 18th year doing the State Hunter Apprentice Program (SHAP) was one of the wettest I can remember.  The temperatures were in the low 80’s and, except for the rain, was perfect. This was our 5th year at the Echo Grove Camp run by our friends at the Salvation Army.  As usual, the staff at Echo Grove did everything they could to make our camp run smoothly for us and the kids.  Brandi and Jr. were our assigned hosts and did a terrific job for us.
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On Saturday evening, we enjoyed the fantastic Birds of Prey program presented by Joe Rogers and Joann Williams from the Wildlife Recovery Association.  The kids and staff were treated to actually seeing, and in some cases touching, the birds of prey as they were carried around the room by Joann and Joe.  Joann and Joe's Birds of Prey program is a fast-paced, extremely entertaining, first rate educational experience that can be brought into your kids’ school at a very reasonable rate.  Contact them anytime to schedule their conservation friendly program for your school.
If you look at the faces of the students who attended our SHAP course this year, you will see our next generation of sportsmen and women–new hunters who will carry the word of conservation and our hunting heritage into the future.¬† The small game season opens September 15th statewide and is the perfect time and activity to start a new hunter on their lifelong hunting journey. The Michigan DNR has set aside the weekend of Sept. 29-30 for special youth deer hunts.¬† Take advantage of the opportunity.¬† You won‚Äôt regret it!
The members of our Bowhunter Chapter and the Detroit Chapter who gave the extra effort to help ensure hunting’s future are: Mark Austin, Rich DeLisle, Mike Clemence, Bob Easterbrook Sr., Bob Easterbrook Jr., John Gornyecz, Jim Martin, Paul McCann, Alex McLean, Bob McLean, Kelly McLean, Kevin Mulkeran, Chet Muraszewski, Valarie Murphy, Troy Sanborn, Bethany Swartz. These SCI members donated a few days of their lives so that 39 youngsters could receive their MDNR Hunter and Bowhunter Education certificates.  Some people talk about how much they care about hunting, these guys and gals showed how much they care by giving of their time.  On behalf of the kids and our chapter members I say THANK YOU to all of them!
