Feb 04, 2009
SOURCE: The Carmi Times
The Grayville chapter of the National Scholastic Sportsman Program met Saturday evening to go raccoon hunting.
Nine members and guests attended. They headed for the woods at 6 p.m. The dogs worked well, treeing three times. Melody Young, Hunter Lawburgh and Stephanie Krause were first-time hunters.Â
Raccoons are currently in rut so often the dog will tree on den trees. The below freezing temperatures also cause the coons to hole up in the trees.
Chip Judge and Doug Mayfield provided the dogs. The group harvested one raccoon. After the hunt, they met back at the Ag Shop for hot chocolate and cookies. Mayfield demonstrated how to skin and butcher the raccoon. The group plans to cook and eat the coon next week.Â
The Grayville NSSP was the chapter of the year last year and has been featured on the NSSP television show four times over the past year. The NSSP show is televised on the Sportsman Channel.Â
The goal of the National Scholastic Sportsman Program is to provide a positive outlet for students who love the great outdoors or to cultivate an interest in those who haven't been exposed to that lifestyle.
"In every school there is a group of students that do not have an extracurricular activity in which they can relate," said a spokesman. "The National Scholastic Sportsman Program provides just that. It is a program for middle and high school students to learn about the outdoors through hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, gun safety, boat safety and other outdoor adventures.
"Developing the sportsmen and women of tomorrow is essential to ensuring our outdoor heritage is preserved, and along the way it can make a difference in the life of an individual student."
The Grayville NSSP has plans for some other activities in the near future. They plan to coon hunt again in February, have a winter survival night campout, duck hunt, ice fish and canoeing this spring. They will be attending the NSSP National Convention Feb. 20 and 21 at Harrahs Hotel and Convention Center in Metropolis.
Taking part in a recent raccoon hunt were (left to right), dogs C.B. and Sally (in front); front row, Melody Young, Jacob Judge, Austin Rahmoeller and Hunter Lawburgh; and back row, Chip Judge, Marshall Schroder, Doug Mayfield, Angie Mayfield and Stephanie Krause
