Annual Kentucky Guard youth hunt teaches outdoor skills, gun safety

News – Annual Kentucky Guard youth hunt teaches outdoor skills, gun safety

Annual Kentucky Guard youth hunt teaches outdoor skills, gun safety

KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES

10.15.2026

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane 

Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office  

GREENVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard hosted the annual Kentucky Youth Hunt for military, Gold Star, and at-risk youth Oct. 15-18 at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center.

Nearly 20 children aged 9-15 participated in the hunt, which is designed to help participants develop practical skills and learn lessons of discipline, teamwork, and accountability.

“The goal is to give children a safe, positive introduction to hunting and the outdoors,” said Lt. Col. Curtis Persinger, base operations manager and deputy commander of the garrison training center at WHFRTC. “We want every child to leave understanding how to handle firearms safely, respect wildlife and the land, and feel confident and curious about learning more, not believing that success is measured only by harvesting an animal.”

Persinger said early education helps children develop safe habits and understand the responsibilities associated with hunting. Instruction reinforces essential firearm safety rules, including treating every firearm as if it were loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keeping fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot, and knowing the target and what lies beyond it.

Tommy Mullins, director of the SPC Brandon Scott Mullins Memorial Foundation and coordinator of the youth hunt, said firearm safety education is essential to preventing accidents.
“Far too many accidents happen in the home, and while hunting,” he said. “It is important to teach gun safety to help prevent these accidents.”

As a volunteer hunter education instructor for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Redecision-making. He said the lessons extend beyond hunting and can influence participants’ behavior at home and among their peers

“Hunting teaches responsibility in providing food for families, along with other valuable lessons,” Mullins said.
The program has been in place since 2009, with the foundation assuming the lead in 2023. It honors Mullins’ son, Brandon, who was killed in action Aug. 25, 2011, while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to his father, Brandon was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also excelled in football, baseball and hockey.

Mullins said the youth hunt gives participants an opportunity to learn skills that extend beyond the outdoors. Lessons include land navigation, compass reading, keeping shared living spaces clean and observing military protocol during retreat ceremonies.

Through these experiences, participants gain practical knowledge while learning the importance of respect, discipline and responsibility.

Mullins expressed gratitude to the Kentucky National Guard, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center and the state of Kentucky for supporting the program and providing an opportunity to serve young people.

Persinger said supporting the youth hunt also strengthens the relationship between the Kentucky National Guard and the communities it serves, demonstrating that the Guard’s mission extends beyond military service.

“In three short days we work with these kids to foster trust, cooperation, and teamwork all while achieving wildlife conservation,” Persinger said.

He said the effort aligns with the adjutant general’s community outreach line of effort.

The program also introduces participants to military customs and expectations, potentially inspiring some to consider future service in the nation’s armed forces.

Persinger encouraged Soldiers and Airmen interested in mentoring young people to volunteer as coaches, mentors or support personnel for the 2027 Kentucky Youth Hunt.

“Over this past weekend I have met some tremendous people that care about the outdoors and who care about our military Soldiers and Airmen that are serving and or those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Persinger said.

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