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Andersen hunters prep for upcoming season

  • Published
  • By Airman Whitney Amstutz
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - --  With hunting season just around the corner, many members of Team Andersen are stocking up on camouflage and bright orange vests in anticipation of a good romp in the surrounding woods.

Dozens of hunting enthusiasts attended the Hunter's Safety Briefing hosted by the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Sept. 2nd at the College of Agriculture and Life Science Building in Mangilao. The briefing, which is a requirement for all Airmen and public hunters who intend to hunt on Andersen Air Force Base, is a course on the dangers and preventative measures all hunters should take prior to the commencement of the season.

"The Hunter's Safety Briefing is mandatory for all Andersen hunters to attend," said Jezzica De La Peña, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron natural resource programs coordinator. "The brief provides the opportunity for hunters to obtain or renew their licenses and get all of the necessary information."

There are many available dates and times for Airmen to attend the Hunter's Safety Briefing.

"We have a number the briefings at the University of Guam to accommodate participants," De La Peña said. "Additional classes will be held on the 16th, 23rd and 30th of this month and the 7th and 14th of Oct at the College of Agriculture and Life Science building starting at 6pm."

Retired Master Sgt. Ignacio 'Nash' Camacho, an Andersen Air Force Base Volunteer Conservation Officer, conducts many safety briefings for hunters of varying skill levels.

"The briefing is not a hunter training course per se," Camacho said. "Its primary purpose is to provide safety and requirement information about hunting on Andersen. We hope it will encourage active participation in one aspect of our Wildlife Management efforts, but mostly we want to maximize a safe hunting experience at Andersen."

Each briefing provides a wealth of information on a variety of different subjects. Airmen and public hunters learn everything from proper protective gear, to how to identify and avoid threatened and endangered species on base.

"The Hunter's Safety Briefing covers all legal access, firearms and archery, safety equipment and procedures information applicable to hunters," Camacho said. "It also briefs on respecting Chamoru cultural artifacts and the natural environment as well as ongoing wildlife project areas, endangered species and unexploded ordnance."

Airmen are encouraged to get out and participate in the season's sport. In addition, accommodations are available for disabled members of Team Andersen who don't want to miss out.

"We have accommodations for disabled hunters," Camacho said. "Disabled hunters are processed first at each lottery and are allowed to have another permitted hunter accompany them while hunting or tracking game. Our volunteers will begin building hunting stands for special access needs soon so everyone can hunt at their leisure."

It is important all Airmen, their families and friends have the knowledge and capability to have not only a fun, but safe experience each time they go hunting on or off base. Members of the 36th CES and Andersen VCO's have worked diligently to provide the tools necessary to accomplish this goal.

"The Hunter's Safety Briefing is a great tool for all who wish to participate in hunting while on Guam," Camacho said. "Many people have worked hard to provide the maximum amount of information and make it readily available."