Early Hunts Give Youth First Shot at Birds

Youth hunters between the ages of 10 to 15 wanting to get an early shot at a duck or goose can by participating in the youth waterfowl hunt on September 24 and 25. The youth pheasant season opens October 1. The rules for the youth hunt are simple. The hunters must have a valid hunting license, including the migratory bird permit. They also must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older while hunting. The goal of the program is to give youths an opportunity to hunt birds before they are disturbed by hunters during the general season. It's a great opportunity to get them out hunting without the pressures surrounding the general opener. Bag limits for ducks and geese will remain the same as for the general season. Hunters are allowed to harvest seven ducks but can include no more than one canvasback, one pintail, two redheads, two mallard hens or four scaups. They can also harvest four geese. Youth hunters may take three cock pheasants per day, and after the first day may have six in possession. The exception to these limits is on Wildlife Management Areas, where pheasants are stocked. In those areas the daily bag limit is two and the possession limit is four. Hunting doesn't begin until noon on opening day of the youth pheasant hunt in areas two and three. Hunters opting to hunt on private land are reminded to ask first before hunting. For more information on waterfowl and pheasant hunting, pick up a copy of the waterfowl or upland game rules brochures at any license vendor or Fish and Game office. You'll also find the rules brochures online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov