NWTF Intern Hosts Educational Hunting Presentation for Non-Hunters

Kat Jones, going into her fourth year at MSU with a double major in fish and wildlife and forestry, spent her summer as an NWTF intern, aiding Jen Davis, NWTF hunting and shooting R3 coordinator, in planning and hosting outreach events.  

In June, Jones attended the NWTF Washtenaw County Conservationists Chapter’s black powder gun night, where Davis and NWTF chapter volunteers spent the evening educating attendees on the history of black powder guns and how to use them.  

Jones also helped youth at the Washtenaw County Conservationists’ JAKES fishing derby in collaboration with Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation Department, where she helped kids catch their first fish. 

“That was an awesome day because I had kids run up and tell me about the fish they caught, and they'd say, ‘It was this big,’” Jones said. “It was really enriching and fulfilling to see these kids take an interest in angling. Even if that's not the direct mission of the NWTF, I think any way that people can become interactive with outdoors and passionate about it is a good thing.” 

Jones also attended the end of a woman's turkey hunt and the Michigan United Conservation Youth Camp, where Davis was a guest speaker.  

“This internship really enriched my education because I grew up in a non-hunting household, and to get this opportunity to research hunting and be around people who use firearms and have great, safe experiences helped change my view on hunting,” Jones said. “This internship was the best thing that could have happened to me this summer.” 

As her summer internship came to a close, Jones presented her final project, which was an educational program for non-hunters in Michigan. Her presentation introduced what the NWTF was and why R3 is important to the organization's mission. She then discussed why hunting is important to non-hunters, the environment and the economy. She also shared some reasons people might want to start hunting, how to learn to hunt if interested and ways to contribute toward conservation without hunting. 

“Public speaking in such a professional setting was very educational,” Jones said. “People were able to ask questions, and I also came up with the idea to have attendees make their own native seed packet to take home, which I think will make them feel like they are contributing to a native and healthy environment, even if they don't want to be a hunter. It’s a good opportunity for people to start being curious.” 

Excited to support her, Jones’ family attended her presentation, which interested them in hunting. Her brother is going to be taking his hunter education course sometime soon, which has been an exciting reward for her outreach efforts. 

Davis plans to use this program again in the future and will share it with other NWTF R3 coordinators, which Jones is proud of. This will be the first time her ideas and work will be used among a group of professionals. She hopes to continue helping with outreach and education events in the future, if given the opportunity. 

Jones is also excited to start her next semester this fall, taking a fire management class and a silviculture class. She's found a passion for trees and forest ecosystems. Now, with what she has learned from a summer working for the NWTF, she has a solid understanding of turkey habitat, which allows her to use her forestry skills to find wild turkeys.  

As she prepares for her professional career, Jones is grateful for all she has learned through the NWTF.   

“Because of this internship, I’ve taken more of an interest in the species that live in the forest,” Jones said. “I think my next steps are hopefully to do research. I want to try to get into an agro-forestry research position to learn the best land use practices.”