For A Great Cause: Screven County FFA Pheasant Hunt
The Screven County High School FFA Chapter cleans birds for the hunters to take home.
Every year, for twenty-three years, the Screven County High School FFA Chapter hosts The Pheasant Hunt — its biggest fundraiser. The hosts, Jason and Cali Smith, turn their vast farm into a shooting range for friends and family to shoot pheasants, engaging the SCHS FFA officers as help. The event is divided into three sections: the morning hunt, lunch and the afternoon hunt.
In the morning, hunters show up, sign in, and gather around to listen to a well-known “be safe, be smart” speech given by FFA Advisor Nancy Sell. Then, they head off to the setup stands with rifles in tow. The most trusted of the high schoolers are selected to throw birds for the hunters.
Once all the birds have been caught, the hunters return to the meeting area to collect the famous lunch plates prepared by county-renowned chefs. Not only are seasoned pork chops and creamy potatoes on the menu, but hunters also enjoy an array of cake options donated by incredibly talented Mamas and Grandmas. One attendee said, “It’s the best $250 lunch you can have.”
While the hunters enjoy their meal, the high school volunteers’ real work begins. They unite to de-breast and clean the pheasants so all hunters go home with plenty of birds.
Funds raised from the annual pheasant hunt has helped send students to the National FFA Convention & Expo and the Georgia FFA State Convention.
However, there is much more to the pheasant hunt than a hearty meal and free bird cleaning. In reality, the pheasant hunt has done more for the Screven County FFA than anyone would imagine.
Through the pheasant hunt, the Screven County FFA Alumni and Supporters have raised more than $100,000. This money has been used to send students to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis and the Georgia FFA State Convention in Macon, Ga. Additionally, the hunt has funded numerous scholarships for graduating seniors, and helped provide equipment and aid to students who need help with their Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAEs).
While Screven County students enjoy the pheasant hunt because of the opportunities it brings, families enjoy the pheasant hunt because of the fantastic experience. Year after year, hunters come in from all corners of the world for the hunt.
This year, Byron Ernest from Indiana said, “We come back every year, especially to see her [Nancy Sell, agriculture teacher and pheasant hunt coordinator]; she’s awesome. My son and I, this is an event we don’t miss every year.”
Overall, the unique fundraiser that is the pheasant hunt is a great time for everyone involved. Whether you are a hunter coming in from out of state to support an FFA chapter, a local coming for the good people and a great meal, or a high school volunteer cleaning birds with Megan Moroney blasting in the background to distract you from the guts and feathers on your hands, you are bound to enjoy the pheasant hunt. It’s a fellowship, it’s fun and it’s for a good cause.
