Email   Print   Share By Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Facebook Digg Delicious September 20, 2012 | Sports

Lacy Bland, 11, lines up her arrow with the target during the 300 Archery Shoot Saturday as part of Fort Hood Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual event geared toward bringing Families together and exposing youth to outdoor activities in a fun and safe way. Lacy has been hunting with her father for two years and said she has a lot of fun. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Kellyn Christopher, 2, gets some casting instruction from her father, Sgt. Matthew Christopher, during Fort Hood’s Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday. Christopher brought Kellyn to the event to show her some of the outdoor activities he enjoys and encourage her involvement as well. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Daisy Butts, 11, aims her shotgun with a little help from her father, Thomas, Saturday during the turkey shoot at Fort Hood Hunting and Fishing Day, a daylong event with opportunities for fishing, shooting, archery and other actvities. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Patrons line up to purchase area acess passes, hunting licenses and ask questions inside the shop at Fort Hood’s Sportsmen’s Center. Area access passes and proper licenses are required to hunt, fish or access range areas on post. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Fort Hood hosted dozens of youth and their Families Saturday for Hunting and Fishing Day.

The annual event provides an opportunity for Families to get together and enjoy a day of shooting, fishing and other activities, all hosted by the Fort Hood Sportsmen’s Center.

The day started before the sun came up with a 6:30 a.m. fishing derby at the youth pond. Other activities including archery, a turkey shoot, turkey calling and the barbecue lunch, all held at the Sportsmen’s Center and its associated ranges.

With the fish biting, the day started off well for those up and at ‘em early.

“We almost cleared the pond,” Dirk Bland, a Fort Hood hunting guide, said.

For Bland, hunting and fishing are family traditions he is passing to his four daughters.

His daughter, Lacy, 11, has been hunting since she was 9, and she said she enjoys getting outdoors and shooting.

“It’s fun,” she said.

Bland said outdoor activities like hunting and fishing bring families together, and Fort Hood is a great place to expose youth to those pursuits.

“Fort Hood has an awesome youth program,” he said. “It’s important kids learn how to hunt and fish safely.”

Safety was a primary concern during the day’s activities. Range safety officers at each range ensured the proper handling of all weapons.

As the safety officer at the shotgun range, Danny Riddlespriger, a certified hunter education instructor, stressed knowledge and safe-handling of the weapons the youth and adults were using to shoot at the turkey targets during the turkey shoot.

For Daisy Butts, 11, safety with a gun is second-nature.

“My dad’s been teaching me safety,” she said. “And, when you shoot, hit the target.”

Butts has been shooting with her father since she was 3.

Her father, Thomas Butts, a Soldier with the 1st Cavalry Division, said hunting is a Family tradition in their Family, but the ability to hunt is also a good fundamental to have.

“It’s part of our heritage,” he said.

Even though it was a day filled with fishing and hunting competitions, Family togetherness and the sharing of long-held traditions were the focus of the day.

“It’s good to get Families out here together,” Thomas said. “It’s also a good way to show the activities available on Fort Hood.”

Sgt. Matthew Christopher, who is assigned to 3rd Cavalry Regiment, agreed.

He brought his daughter, Kellyn, 2, to the day for some bonding time and to encourage her interest in outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

“I thought we’d come check it out,” he said about the event. “It’s a great bonding time.”

Chyna Fonseca, 15, and her brother Michael Anthony Garcia, 12, attended the event with their grandfather. On the archery range, Chyna took on the role of teacher to her brother Michael.

“This is my first time,” Michael said, “but it’s something I will probably keep doing.”

For Riddlespriger, that was the most enjoyable part of the event.

“The kids are the best thing about a day like this,” he said, “and seeing them catch that first fish and shoot that first gun.”