Jamie T. Ames (JT) is an apprentice hunter, having passed his firearms/hunting exam in November of '08. His passion is waterfowl hunting and has extended that into competing in duck and goose calling competitions. His first competition came after only 3 weeks of picking up his first goose call and devoting a couple of hours a day to practice while using YOUTUBE and watching the likes of Hunter Grounds, 'Big' Sean Hammock and others perform on stage.
The Jack Miner Duck/Goose Calling Competition in Kingsville saw him take 2nd in goose and 4th in duck in the youth division. He was hooked. The next competition was at the Chatham Sportsmen's Show (see pic below) where he again took 2nd in goose and 4th in duck. He's hoping and working towards better things for this coming fall when he'll once again enter the Jack Miner competition.


JT (left) shown with winnings, a Zink Power Clucker, caps and other gear, from Chatham calling competition

Connor's first pheasant at age 12 2007 at the Hullet Marsh youth hunt.

Connor Jones is thirteen years old, "he got his apprentice licence at 12 but he already had a few years experience following me through the woods", says his dad, John. "He shot his first big game animal, a wild boar at age 9. As an apprentice his first hunt was a field goose hunt and his first shot killed his first goose. He has since harvested his first duck and pheasant.His favourite is waterfowling, although he really enjoys 3 D shoots. Connor is also an avid birder and photographer.
Hopefully we will add a gobbler to the list this spring."

John Redecop is a much accomplished artist and outdoors guy.

"My name is John Redecop. I'm fourteen and I'm a member of Delta Waterfowl and I've been a member for almost a year and I'm also a member in the North American Hunting Club for two years. Over the years I've gotten better at calling, hunting and decoy and blind placement.
I've also learned that hunting was my thing. I started hunting when I was 10 or 11 years old. Since then hunting has been a tradition in my family. My favortie game to hunt is probably waterfowl. It really viges you the feel of hunting and is a great way to make new friends and have fun. I plan on being able to compete in the world goose calling championship when I'm older."

John has a great gift when it comes to wildlife art . . . his passion. I have no doubt that we will be admiring his wildlife artwork in the years to come, in much the same way as we admire Robert Bateman's work.

Pictured here is John after receiving his 'Visual Arts Award' from school in his gr. 8 graduation.

Miner Clan Carries On The Tradition

Pictured above are apprentices; JT Miner, left and Celeste Miner right - son and daughter of Venessa Miner who is the daughter of John Miner - Jack Miner's brother of Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary fame.
The kids are avid outdoors youth that live on site and take every opportunity to get into the fields and hunt. They have now gone on two goose hunts with family friends Steve Simpson and Steve Simpson Jr. (pictured with Venessa Miner below).
Steve Simpson Jr. mentored the kids in their waterfowl hunts and teaches them about waterfowl hunting.

Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary now has a new executive board that works with hunters and hunter clubs in promoting the sanctuary's efforts. They are a dedicated group that is revitalizing the Jack Miner Sanctuary and all it stands for.

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