News Releases

Experience outdoor fun March 6 at Beau Turner youth center

News Release

Monday, February 22, 2010

Media contact: Renee Hays, 850-413-0084

Youths looking to get outside on a nice spring day are invited to attend Beau Turner's Annual Outdoor Experience on March 6 at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, east of Tallahassee in Jefferson County.

The center, operated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), is on U.S. 19 just north of U.S. 27 and is the state's first privately developed conservation facility for youths.

The Saturday event is free and open to children of all ages and their parents.  It begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m., and advance registration is not necessary. 

Activities include fishing and casting competitions; Olympic-style archery; muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle shooting; K-9 demonstrations; hay rides; wall climbing; and bounce houses.  An FWC law enforcement helicopter, as well as wild animals, will be on hand so attendees can get a closer look at them.

Also, there will be three outdoor television personalities in attendance and giving demonstrations - Snake Master Steve Scruggs (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.), Master of the Longbow Bryon Ferguson (11:30 a.m.) and Ultimate Shooter Tim Bradley (2:30 p.m.).

All attending youths will have a chance to win one of several door prizes, including binoculars, a Henry .22-caliber rifle and a week of summer camp at the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp.

Food will be available for a small fee, or attendees can bring their own sack lunch.

During the event, parents can sign up their 12- to 16-year-old children for free weekend programs at the youth center, where they can learn about gun safety, archery, fishing, shooting and other outdoor activities.

Sponsors for the event include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, Fish Florida, the Future of Hunting in Florida, Florida Division of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Benelli, Ducks Unlimited, Homestead Ministries, the Tallahassee Museum and Safari Club International.

For more information on the Beau Turner Outdoor Experience, or to obtain more detailed directions on how to get there, contact Renee Hays at 850-413-0084, or go to MyFWC.com/Hunting