Youth pheasant hunting season kicks off Thursday, Oct. 8

Youth pheasant hunting season kicks off Thursday, Oct. 8 and runs through Oct. 14. Youth ages 17 years and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth pheasant hunt; anyone 18 years or older cannot hunt during the youth hunt.

For full rules on the hunt, see pages 11-13 of the 2026-2027 Idaho Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet.

Youth hunters do not need an Upland Game Bird Permit to hunt where birds are stocked, but they are required to wear at least 36 squares inches of visible hunter orange above the waist during the pheasant season while hunting at those locations. A hunter orange hat typically meets this requirement.

Young hunters who have never had a hunting license and have not taken hunter education can still participate in the hunt through Idaho's Hunting Passport Program. Passport holders must be accompanied by an adult with a valid Idaho hunting license. Additionally, resident youth hunters under the age of 12 that possess a junior license must also be accompanied by an adult with a valid Idaho hunting license.

For a full list of areas where pheasants will be stocked and number of birds to be stocked, go to the Pheasant Stocking Program webpage and click on each location. 

There are 24 locations where pheasants are stocked, with 2-5 locations in each region. Most locations will be stocked for the youth hunt. Fish and Game plans to release nearly 29,000 pheasants for hunters in 2026. Pheasant hunting at these locations starts at 10 a.m. daily, except for in the Clearwater Region where they start at 8 a.m.

Pheasant hunting for all ages starts Oct. 15 statewide. As a reminder, there is a five-day delay for nonresident participation in general pheasant seasons; however, this does not apply to the youth season.

Check out the map of pheasant zones on page 11 of the 2026-2027 Idaho Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet.