‘Hunt Idaho Expo’ in Lewiston geared to new hunters

Jerome Hansen recalls talking to an acquaintance who said he was interested in hunting, but just didn’t know where to start.

It was sort of an “aha” moment for the supervisor of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Clearwater Region.

“We need to help you,” he said aloud.

This week, Hansen, other employees of the department and outdoor groups will do just that when they put on the Hunt Idaho Expo, a two-day event Friday and Saturday to introduce people to the multifaceted activity that is held dear by many Idaho residents who cherish the time afield and the bounty of organic meat it can provide.

But it’s also one with a steep learning curve, which requires knowledge of firearms, outdoor skills and various rules, regulations and ethics.

When passed down from parent to child, hunting can be second nature. But for those who have never done it, starting up can be daunting.

“We are trying to remove that and provide information on different types of hunting rifles, muzzleloading, bow hunting, how to dress a deer; how to cut up a deer,” he said.

“We are calling it ‘Mountains to Meals.’ It’s about where to; it’s about once you figure out where to go hunt and you are successful, what to do with the animal, how to prepare it, cooking, how to make sausage. It’s meant to be all things hunting.”

National participation in hunting has been declining for decades, federal surveys show. But in the past few years, there has been an uptick in new adults learning to hunt. Many are attracted to it because of their ability to control their food source.

The event will start with a 2 p.m.-7 p.m. program Friday at the Lewis-Clark Wildlife Club Rifle Range near Lapwai that will focus on hunting firearms. People who attend can try some of the most popular calibers of hunting rifles, sight-in their own guns and generally get an overview on proper gun handling.

That will be followed by a Saturday series of symposiums and workshops starting at 8 a.m. at the department’s Clearwater Regional Headquarters and adjacent wildlife habitat area in Lewiston.

Topics include a demonstration on field dressing a deer; how to skin and butcher a deer; how to hunt for various species like deer, elk, waterfowl and upland game birds; trapping; how to get access to private land; how to prepare for a hunting trip; how to cook wild game; and how to make sausage.

Advanced symposiums will explore reloading ammunition, using horses to pack out game, field medicine for bird dogs, and preparing for a backcountry hunting trip.

Youth activities are planned, including a BB gun shooting range.

The deer dressing seminar will cover a traditional method in which the gut sack is removed, and a lesser-known technique in which the guts are left in the animal.

Most of the symposiums will last a half hour, with some lasting an hour. Many of the topics will be held twice during the day, so that people won’t have to pick between two topics.

Although the focus is on people who haven’t hunted or may have very limited experience, Hansen said longtime hunters will also find topics of interest.

“I have hunted for quite some time, but almost every one of these topics I think, ‘Golly, I would like to do that because I could learn something,’ ” he said.