Boy bags first bird

Jerry O’Halloran bagged a pheasant with his first shot. 

The 11-year-old Camino boy was one of nearly 50 youth to participate in Richmond Hunting Club’s annual junior and woman’s pheasant hunt. 

In a field just outside Maxwell, the experience Saturday introduced O’Halloran to a new passion hunting - and an appreciation of the outdoors, respect for firearms and the need to look out for the safety of himself and others. 

“It’s exciting,” O’Halloran. “This is my first pheasant. I can’t wait to eat it.” 

Since 1954, the Richmond Hunting Club has been providing its members the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on more than 18,000 acres, which the club leases. 

Members of the club, many from the Bay Area, Delta and Southern California, enjoy the crisp fall and winter air of the Mid-Valley to hunt dove, pheasant and waterfowl.

“Hunting is something I can do with my dad,” said Stephen Boyle, 11, of Stockton. “It’s fun. My dad was the only hunter in the family, so I wanted to take it up.” 

Boyle has hunted dove and squirrel, and is looking forward to hunting bear and deer when he’s 12. 

According to Richmond Hunting Club President Les Edwards, of Colusa, teaching youngsters the art of hunting is a lesson in responsibility, conservation and safety.

“Kids learn a lot from hunting,” Edwards said. 

“They learn to appreciate the land and wildlife. Hunting helps to control animal populations so the species can survive.” Prior to the hunt, each participate completed a hunter’s safety course. 

On the morning of the shoot, the group participated in a class, where they received special instruction from Bill Adams and Jim Russell, members of the California Hunter Education Instruction Association. 

On the field, hunters went out two at a time with two handlers and a dog to flush out the four pheasants planted for each group. 

“Some places plant the pheasants and then send all the kids out at once,” said Dennis Sanders, Richmond Hunting Club Vice-president. 

“Very few will actually get anything that way. We want our kids to get a bird. So we send them out two at a time. That’s what makes our hunt so successful.” 

After each hunter had a turn, the kids were allowed to go out with a parent to clean up what pheasants were left from the hunt. 

A few women also participated in the event, like Tiffanie Hinds, of Placerville, who hunted with her 13-year-old daughter, Ashley. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Hinds said. “I got a couple of shots off, but I didn’t get a bird. But there’s always next time.” 

Edwards said that in addition to teaching kids about wildlife conservation and safety, the annual pheasant hunt helps keep the sport of hunting alive. 

“I love it,” said 11- year-old Bryce Boyd, who plans to become a lifelong hunter.

“This is my second time hunting pheasant. Out of three shots, I bagged two birds. Now, I’m asking Santa for my own hunting dog.” 

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.