The First Hunt Initiative
Someone took the time to show us the way. Now it's our turn.
Status · In development
The mission
Our goal is simple: help young people experience their first hunt through organized, supported and responsible outdoor experiences.
We're focused on kids and families who don't have an easy way in. Maybe there's no one to take them, no gear, no experienced hunter to learn from or no place to go. We want to be the ones who fill that gap.
The experience
This is how we see a first hunt coming together. The details will firm up as the program does.
Hunter education comes first: firearm safety, ethics, regulations and the basics of getting ready for a day in the field.
Time with experienced hunters before the hunt. Supervised practice, learning wildlife and habitat, and building the confidence to do it right.
A carefully organized hunt with responsible adults, where safety, patience and respect matter more than the outcome.
Caring for the harvest, giving thanks, respecting the animal and the land, and someday passing on what they learned.
More than a hunt
A first hunt can shape a kid in ways that last a lot longer than one season.
01 — Confidence
Doing something difficult the right way changes how a kid sees themselves.
02 — Patience
Sitting still and waiting is rare these days. The woods teach it well.
03 — Responsibility
Following the safety rules, making ethical choices and owning the result, good or bad.
04 — Respect for wildlife
Understanding the animal, the season and why a clean, ethical shot matters.
05 — God's creation
A sunrise from a stand is hard to forget, and it points to the One who made it.
06 — Lasting relationships
An experienced hunter who keeps showing up can become a friend for life.
Get involved
We're still building this, so each path starts with an interest form. It isn't a sign-up or a registration. It tells us who's out there so we can build this right.
Safety & youth protection
These are requirements, not features. They aren't in place yet, and no youth hunt will happen until they are.
Written consent from a parent or legal guardian before a young person takes part in anything.
Completion of state-required hunter education, at the right age, before any hunt.
Close supervision by responsible adults at every activity, with clear rules for one-on-one contact.
Background checks, references and training for every adult who works with youth.
Proper liability coverage for the initiative, its volunteers and its activities.
Licenses, tags, seasons, landowner permission and every state and federal rule that applies.
Firearms stay under adult control, with secure storage and transport and written safety procedures.
Experiences matched to each young person's age, size, maturity and experience.
There's room in the truck
Now it's our turn. Whether you fund a hunt, equip one or open a gate, there's a place for you in this.