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By Wendy Alexander - The Madera Tribune

Luke Schnoor, 14, learned hunter safety skills as well as conservation education at the Quail Unlimited Covey Camp.

Photo by: Wendy Alexander

Several Madera County youth participated in the Quail Unlimited Covey Camp in Coarsegold this past week where they learned hunting and outdoor skills.

The camp is for boys and girls who have successfully completed a basic hunters safety education course and are ready to take the next step.

The kids camp in the outdoors in tents and learn to fly fish and make dove cones.

Dick Haldeman, Western Regional director for Quail Unlimited, started the camp 10 years ago. Haldeman said so farm, 680 kids have participated in the camp program over the last 10 years in California. There are three camp locations in California and 17 nationwide. There has been a camp in Coarsegold for the last six years.

The camp in Coarsegold is located on the old Ecker Ranch owned by J. B. Overstreet of Madera. Overstreet and his wife Camille stay at the ranch while the campers are there and help out with whatever they can.

This year, there are a total of 11 campers, one girl and ten boys ranging in age from 11 to 16 years old.

The campers learn about hunters safety and conservation. As part of the conservation project the campers learn how to make and install dove cones. The cones provide a place for the doves to nest and lay eggs.

According to Haldeman, doves are terrible nest builders and lose about 25 percent of their annual nesting because the eggs roll out. The cones make for a more stable nest. The cones are made out of hardware cloth.

The campers also get to experience shooting trap and skeet. They also get to hunt chukers used for dog training purposes. They learn how to clean and cook the chukers.

There are three lakes located on the 1,100-acre ranch. The campers learn fly fishing skills and are able to enjoy fishing.

The camp lasts for one week. The Coarsegold camp location is funded through Fresno Quail Unlimited, the Fresno Sportsman's Club and scholarships.

For more information about next year's camp contact Dick Haldeman at (951) 767-3435