The Federation of Dutchess County Fish and Game Clubs has hosted an annual youth pheasant hunt every year since 1995 [excepting two years: monsoon rains shut the hunt down one year, and COVID 19, another].

Hunt coordinator Anthony Pittore said most of the youngsters registered to hunt went afield in spite of the miserable weather that lingered for most of the day, and the few “no-shows” that he had to deal with were replaced with “walk-ins.” 37 hunters went afield by the time the hunt was over.

The format for the hunt has remained largely the same since 1995. If a youngster doesn’t have a field dog, a volunteer with a trained dog will accompany him or her afield. The Lafayetteville State Forest is divided into five sectors and only one youngster per sector can be afield [along with a coordinator and dog handler]. The format assures maximum safety and allows the adults to stay focused on the youngsters.

The kids receive a safety briefing from a Master Hunter Instructor and Environmental Conservation Officer before their hunt.

This year the weather seemed to make the birds hold tight. By the time the broke cover the kids were closer, and they ended up taking more birds than the average year.

Not every hunter took a bird, but they all were able to enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, hot venison chili and drinks.

When David Wohlbach founded the hunt in 1995 he wanted it to be as much about teaching hunting safety and ethics as it was the actual hunt. Nearly 1,000 kids have had the opportunity to participate to date.

Though he passed away in 2014, the hunt goes on his in memory – now as the David Wohlbach Memorial Hunt.

Hats off to Anthony Pittore and the dozens of volunteers who put so much into preserving Dave’s legacy.