One young lady hunter, 13-year-old Lucie Katta, achieved what many seasoned outdoorsmen and women only dream of — a perfect 102-yard shot that brought down a majestic 12-point buck. Photo courtesy of Darin Katta

During New York’s Special Youth Big Game Firearm Hunt over the Columbus Day weekend, one young hunter achieved what many seasoned outdoorsmen and women only dream of — a perfect 102-yard shot that brought down a majestic 12-point buck.

For Lucie Katta, the humble 13-year-old lady hunter, the success in Deer Management Unit-9J was more than just a personal triumph. It was a reflection of the unique aspects of New York’s youth hunting program, designed to teach confidence, provide mentorship and foster a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

The state’s annual youth hunting weekend allows licensed hunters aged 12 to 15 to pursue big game with a firearm under the close supervision of an experienced adult mentor, in this case her dad, Darin Katta. This opportunity, though held during the New York State Southern Zone early archery season, provides an ideal, low-pressure setting for learning safe, ethical and responsible hunting practices.

The program is about much more than harvesting a deer. It’s about passing down traditions, teaching respect for wildlife, and helping young people develop focus, patience and an appreciation for conservation. It’s about creating a bond between generations, a connection to the land and a sense of shared history.

Hunting mentors, like Lucie’s dad, Darin, play a crucial role in the program. With at least three years of experience (New York requirement), they ensure that each youth participant benefits from real-world guidance on safety, ethics and field skills. For many families, it’s also a chance to share time in the woods away from the e-screens, reconnecting across generations in a natural setting.

This young lady hunter’s impressive 12-point harvest with a 20-gauge slug shotgun at over 100 yards underscores the effectiveness of this mentorship model. Her careful preparation, steady composure, and accurate marksmanship speak to both her dedication and the guidance she received from her mentor. Lucie was using the Savage 220 shotgun, a bolt-action slug firearm, which weighs 7.3 pounds with a 22-inch barrel and a two-round slug box capacity. Among other functional specifications of this shotgun are the rifled barrel, adjustable Accu-Trigger and Accu-Fit System, allowing it to fit short, tall, young, and not-so-young hunter folks.

Lucie Katta’s story also highlights the growing role of women and girls in outdoor recreation, a trend that continues to expand across New York and the nation. From my perspective, seeing a young woman succeed like this sends a powerful message. It shows that hunting is for everyone. It’s a skill, a tradition, and a way to connect with the land. Programs like this make sure these values are carried forward.

For the young lady, the rewards are both tangible and intangible and substantial. At 102 yards, that’s a technically challenging, ethical shot requiring composure, precision, and understanding of ballistics and anatomy. Lucie’s success can inspire other young ladies to participate in outdoor sports historically dominated by men. Her outdoor family and our community celebrate such achievements, reinforcing positive identity and self-worth. Lucie becomes a living example of how hunting contributes to wildlife management and ecological stewardship. Her early success can spark a lifelong love of the outdoors, ensuring she and her family and friends remain engaged in hunting, fishing, or conservation. Put all those things together and we have recognition, empowerment, confidence, validation, conservation, advocacy and lifelong passion. Congratulations, Lucie.

Beyond personal achievements, New York’s youth hunting program plays a vital role in wildlife management and conservation. Ethical, regulated hunting helps maintain balanced deer populations, supports habitat protection through license revenue, and contributes to local economies across rural regions like Chautauqua County. Note that Erie County, just to the north, does not support the special youth hunting weekend with a firearm for those youth that are 12-15 years of age.

As for the young hunter, Lucie says the best part wasn’t the size of the buck, but the experience itself.

“I’ll never forget that day. I love hunting with my dad,” Lucie said. “I learned so much and I can’t wait to go again.”

Congratulations to the entire Katta family and to the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, where Lucie is a junior member, and where her dad weighed her deer. The scales tipped at 222.2 pounds; that’s a monster trophy. This young lady’s success is a celebration and a testament to the power of mentorship, tradition, and the outdoors.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Oct. 16: Opening day of NYS inland trout catch and release season.

Oct. 16: Southtowns Walleye Association, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.

Oct. 16: Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishers International, monthly meeting, fly tying 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m. — steelhead fishing in local streams with local experts; Burchfield Nature and Arts Center, 2002 Union Road, West Seneca.

Oct. 18: NYS Western Zone pheasant season opens. Season ends Feb. 28, 2026. See syllabus for bag limits, etc.

Oct. 18: NYS Southern Zone turkey season opens, sunrise to sunset, season bag limit: one bird either sex, ends Oct. 31.

Oct. 22: Fish Pen Project meeting, 6 p.m., Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk; Looking for ideas, volunteer helpers.