Joe Huggins has an important
message for kids in Arkansas
and around the region.
"Getting out in the woods
is important and learning
the importance of being
a good steward of the
environment is too," Joe,
the hunter education
coordinator for the
Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission, explained. "The
wildlife in this state doesn't
belong to the Game and Fish
Commission. It belongs to
everyone. They are the public's
and we want to get people out
into the woods and onto river
banks and the lakes to enjoy the
natural resources we have."
For more that 26 years,
Joe has lead efforts to make
sure kids and adults in The
Natural State understand the
importance of our natural
resources. He also coordinates
hunter education programs for
the organization.
"We want Arkansans to be
safe while they are out there,"
he stressed. "Firearms are not
toys. Even if we are talking
about air guns and BB guns and
pellet guns. They may be the
first gun a young person gets
their hands on. They are not
toys and (kids and adults) need
to respect them and need to
handle them properly. Knowing
how to safely handle them,
whether it's a BB gun, 22- or
12-gauge shot gun, you need to
respect them."
Joe, who grew up in a rural
household said he was a kid
who was always in the woods
or walking creek beds and
riverbanks when he wasn't in
school. It was a different time.
"When I grew up, there were
more lands available to hunt,"
he said.
"I had those opportunities.
My friends and their parents
Being good stewards of environment,
practicing hunting safety
important to all
By Dave Woods • dwoods @officialkidsmag.com
Out in
the woods
46 • Off icial Kids Mag • OC T & NOV 2018
