Hunters Onsite Task List

Tasks –

• After lunch meet briefly with the ELP Instructor on the Magazin porch for instructions, gear and safety talk. Get your bait from your cooler on your way out. Check that you have everything you need for your fishing expedition, including, fishing Day License, water and sunscreen. Walk together to the ocean at Fort Ross Cove. Review ELP fishing procedure before your visit
• Do not go in the water! Never turn your back on the ocean and be very careful! Parent Leads carefully bait hooks and pass out poke poles to each student who will be fishing. Poke baited hooks into cracks in the rocks near to the shoreline. Please leave starfish, abalones, small crabs, etc. in peace. Do not disturb the harbor seals. They are very sensitive and protected by law! As you fish, you may have the students keep an eye out for birds, sea otters, and other sea mammals . Any left over fish or squid bait can be left for the birds on the grounds well outside the front gates of the fort. Do not leave in Hunter’s bag! The Hunters Activity Group is responsible for killing, cleaning and cooking any catch that isn’t released back to the wild — plan your time accordingly
• Remove hooks and lines and clean equipment so it’s all ready for the next hunting party. Return hunting equipment back to its place outside the Fur Warehouse
• Alternative to fishing – Take a hike and keep a record of any animals that you see that may have been hunted by the Kashia Pomo and Alaska Native peoples at Metini / Fort Ross. Record plants that may have been collected for food or other purposes
• (Optional) Go on a sea mammal watch along the bluffs and beaches along the Pacific shores
• (Optional) Rainy day project, make an Alaska Native Hunters Hat 
• (Optional) Rainy day project, make animal face masks
• (Optional rainy day activity) Soap carving
• (Optional) Practice your dart throwing skills with hoops and darts we provide
• (Optional) Make a map showing the places where you hunted, fished and gathered
• (Optional) Examine the furs in the fur warehouse and identify which of the following animals they came from: rabbit, beaver, coyote, sheep, otter, bobcat, elk, fox, raccoon, deer, goat, bear and ermine
• Move personal sleeping gear into eight-sided Blockhouse – only at the scheduled time!

Night watch – Check Schedule. Wake up Explorers Activity Group in Northwest Blockhouse for next watch, or as specified by the teacher.

Rules and Responsibilities –

• Follow the Parent Leads' instructions at all times
• Obey all safety rules and don’t litter
• Remember to go gently in the tidal zone. Do not remove natural items from the beach or anywhere in the Park
• Immediately report any stranded marine mammal sightings to your ELP Instructor, who will make the appropriate call for help to The Marine Mammal Center. Be kind to the animal by keeping your distance. The animal is likely already in a stressed condition and your proximity will only cause it further stress.

Morning Responsibilities –

• Pack personal gear and bring to fort gates
• Clean and sweep Northwest blockhouse. Make sure it’s completely cleared out and ready for the day’s Park visitors.
• Kitchen duty – wash ALL communal dishes, including pots and pans. Lightly (but thoroughly) oil ALL cast iron pots, pans and griddles. Wash down tables and benches thoroughly
• Make sure ALL kitchen gear, including wash tubs and compost bucket are washed, dried and put away. Please note that the compost bucket should be emptied and cleaned only after all meals have been eaten! Please coordinate with Cooks Activity Group to know what to put away when
• If your group is finished and another is not, find out how you can help

Fort Litter Pick Up – All groups line up shoulder to shoulder and walk the inside of the fort for a full fort cleanup