The Michigan Department of Natural Resources once again will offer Demonstration Days for mentored youth hunters at its Ortonville, Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake and Sharonville shooting ranges in August.

Mentored youth hunting regulations require that hunting devices are properly fitted and appropriately suited to the youth hunter. The Demonstration Days events will give young hunters a chance to try a variety of firearms – rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders – archery equipment and crossbows with help from experienced range officers and hunter education instructors. The National Wild Turkey Federation is a participating partner with its JAKES trailer.

Mentored youth hunters and other young people interested in hunting are invited to stop by between 4 and 8 p.m. on the following days:

Aug. 4 at Pontiac Lake Shooting Range (Oakland County) located within the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, 7800 Gale Road, Waterford (Recreation Passport required for entry)

Aug. 5 at Ortonville Shooting Range (Lapeer County) located within the Ortonville Recreation Area, 5380 Sawmill Lake Road, Ortonville (Recreation Passport required for entry)

Aug. 11 at Sharonville Shooting Range (Jackson County) located within the Sharonville State Game Area, 14520 Sharon Valley Road, Grass Lake

Aug. 12 at Rose Lake Shooting Range (Clinton County) located within the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area, 14500 Peacock Road, Bath
Participants will get a free camouflage baseball hat and a backpack full of helpful resources for new hunters. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, and attendees should not bring their own. Registration is not required.

"This is the fourth year we're offering Demo Days, and we've found that the kids really enjoy, and their parents appreciate, the opportunity to try out different youth-sized hunting equipment," said Dennis Fox, DNR Recruitment and Retention manager. "We want kids' first hunting experiences to be successful, and using a firearm, bow or crossbow that's suited and fitted for them helps ensure that young hunters have a safe and enjoyable time in the field."

The Mentored Youth Hunting program is designed to introduce youth under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing, offering a "package" license for just $7.50. For one low price, youth hunters under the age of 10 can hunt turkey (spring and fall, any hunt period/location, on private or public land), deer and small game, trap furbearers and fish for all species. By eliminating the minimum hunting age in Michigan, the program is geared toward parents and other adult mentors who want to teach children how to hunt and fish, allowing them to determine if and when their child is ready to hunt. To learn more about the Mentored Youth Hunting program, visit www.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting.

More information about the DNR's shooting ranges is available at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.