Youth Adventure

ElkQuest understands that the youth of today are the guardians of our future. Providing opportunities for our youth is vital in prolonging our outdoor heritage. ElkQuest's Youth Adventure Program, for ages 12-16, encompasses hunter's education, firearm safety, wildlife conservation and management, education of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and the Elk Research Institute's efforts to combat it, and hands on science through a fun-filled action packed weekend.

The three-day weekend includes meals, outdoor skills, firearm instruction, and interaction with elk in their natural habitat. Each individual leaves with a greater knowledge and higher level of respect for wildlife and the role we play in their management. Participants may also earn their hunter's education certification.

The highlight of the weekend for each youth is the opportunity to participate in a research capture. The capture hunt allows the youth to tranquilize an elk by using a dart gun, assisting in collecting research data, and removing the yearly antler growth. As an added bonus the participant may keep the antlers!

ElkQuest must cover the cost of these hunts to support ongoing research efforts as well as the specific event expense of food, medical supplies, equipment, targets, ammo, vehicles, etc. In addition, each youth receives a backpack filled with supplies for future adventures of their own. Leaders, instructors and chaperones donate their time.

Please actively support this program by:

• Sponsoring a youth capture or harvest hunt
• Donating funds to help cover general expense of the event
• Donating supplies, promotional materials, door prizes, etc.
• Volunteering for the event

Help us educate the youth of today to better understand their impact on the generations of the future. Contact us for more information on our youth programs, how to become a sponsor, or to schedule an adventure for your youth group.