Youth hunters gain valuable experience
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Mar 09/01) - It was a memorable three days in Deline for eight Fort Simpson youth.
As members of a hunting party, they helped to bring back close to 100 caribou for distribution throughout their community. It was the first caribou hunt for most of the youth.
By comparison, it was much easier than tracking moose, said Preston McLeod, one of the youth hunters. Caribou tend to run in herds and are an easier target. Yet careful aim has to be taken because a kill to the neck or chest is considered a good shot, but "the stomach is a bad shot," McLeod said.
"I learned how to skin them, what (meat) to take and what not to take," he added.
Randy Horesay, who also made the trip, said it was a treat to feast on fresh meat by the fire while camping in Deline.
Donna Tsetso laughed and added, "I had lots of fun eating ribs."
The trip was also an eye-opening cultural experience, according to Tsetso.
"Down there, they have lots of respect for the land," she said, noting that a number of ceremonies were held, and the animals are also treated with much respect.
"Everybody learned something," she said. "It was a good trip."
The youth were accompanied by a number of more experienced hunters like Jonas Antoine, Walter Blondin and Randy Sibbeston. They also had a guide, Chris Yukon, who is from Deline.
Sibbeston said the youth seemed to savour the experience.
"For the most part those guys were really enthusiastic," he said. "Coming from Simpson, it's pretty exciting to see a herd of caribou emerge onto the clearing of the lake."
Camping in tents, exposure to the elements and hearing wolves howl were all part of bona fide outdoor adventure. But Sibbeston said hunting can reach another level.
"They just got a little taste of it. To get a real hunting experience you've got to be out there alone or with one other person," he said.
Gerry Antoine, executive director of the Friendship Centre, which sponsored the hunt, said the caribou meat will be distributed to the Sa Naeah Pre-natal program, the Open Doors Society, Melaw daycare and to mothers with young children.
