Hey DC, what's the deal

[Strutter]

with the Archery in School plans? First I have heard about it but man it sounds great to think about such a venture. I hope you got a school in Madison Co. in the mix. My boys are just getting to school age and they shoot here at home. Would be great if they could do it at school also. Where can I find out more about this?

Thanks, and good luck,
Strutter

[DC]

Yes, KDFWR in cooperation with the KY Dept. of Education is going to launch a pilot "Archery in Kentucky Schools" program this spring. A total of 20 middle schools are being selected to implement a KERA-compliant Physical Education archery class. The teachers will be trained as archery "coaches" by the National Alliance for the Development of Archery. Several archery equipment manufacturers have donated the gear. This will be a target archery program. Schools are being selected from all 8 Dept. of Ed. regions. Schools are being recommended by KDFWR staff who have relationships with the MS principal and or PE teacher.

The program will be taken statewide next fall. It is our hope to have this program in at least half of KY's 213 Middle Schools. The goal is to reach a minimum of 12,000 students/year. Already, 5 states have contacted us to find out how, what, etc. When the pilot is completed we will share the story with other states.

We are only accepting equipment and supplies from companies that pay the archery excise tax (foreign suppliers don't pay this tax and therefore don't support wildlife conservation programs through PR funds).

We have schools in Lexington, Winchester, and Richmond, KY. Already about 30 schools requesting to be one of the 20 pilot programs.

You'll hear much more about this in the future--especially after the pilot has concluded.

[GSP]

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!

Any thing we as sportsmen can do to help????

[Strutter]

Thanks for the info DC. This is a great opportunity for the schools and communities as well. Like gsp said, let us know if we can be of any help.

Strutter

[mossyhorns]

Whoa! Hello there, DC! Did you say that foreign companies DO NOT pay excise tax??? Does that mean that all those Benelli's, Hong Kong fish hooks, etc contribute ZILCH to the PR/DJ funds? #1: What in the world were we thinking? #2: Can this be changed?

[redbone]

Atta boy! Very good news...this could do much for the future of hunting for many years to come.