Fish and Game Plans Annual Youth Pheasant Clinic

Pheasant season is just around the corner, and with it comes the excitement of getting out in the field, shotgun in hand, and enjoying the experiences associated with upland game bird hunting. The first weekend in October marks the youth pheasant season opener statewide. All youth ages 10 to 15 with valid hunting licenses may hunt pheasant October 3 through October 9, provided they are accompanied in the field by an adult 18 years or older. As part of the youth pheasant opener, the Southeast Region office of Idaho Fish and Game will host a special youth pheasant clinic on Saturday, October 3, at the Sterling Wildlife Management Area near Aberdeen. The clinic sessions will run from 8 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a mentored youth hunt beginning at noon. The clinic is limited to the first 20 youth who register through the Fish and Game office in Pocatello. There is no charge for the clinic. A free lunch is provided. The youth pheasant clinic will focus on teaching conservation, pheasant management, shotgun patterning, and shooting skills. A mentored field experience to hunt pheasant will also be available to participants 10 to 15 years of age. Each youth will be accompanied in the field by a dog handler with dog and a certified mentor for one-on-one guidance and instruction during this special hunting experience. Though the youth pheasant clinic is open to youth 10 to17 years old with valid hunting licenses, only those licensed youth aged 15 years and younger are allowed to hunt pheasant during the 2009 youth pheasant season -- October 3 through 9. This age requirement also applies to the mentored hunt activity that follows the clinic. Interested youth must register by contacting the Southeast Regional Office of the Fish and Game at 232-4703 or by visiting the office at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello. Hunting pheasant continues to be a favorite recreation activity for many hunters in southeast Idaho. Sterling Wildlife Management Area offers premier habitat for both the beginner and seasoned hunter. Information for an optional sidebox: General pheasant seasons for all hunters start statewide later in October, with start dates, times, and season lengths varying by area. Daily bag limits also vary by area, so be sure to check the upland game rules and seasons for information pertaining to hunting pheasants in your neck of the woods. Remember that all upland game and upland bird hunters are required to wear visible hunter orange, a minimum of 36 square inches, above the waist during pheasant season when hunting on a wildlife management area, such as Sterling, where pheasants are stocked. Hunting pheasants requires WMA pheasant permit for those 17 years and older on the following wildlife management areas: Fort Boise, Payette River, Montour, C.J. Strike, Sterling, Market Lake, Mud Lake, Cartier Slough, and Niagara Springs. These permits can be purchased at any vendor or Fish and Game office. Information about Idaho's WMAs can be found on Fish and Game's website at fishandgame.idaho.gov, or stop by a Fish and Game office for a brochure on a WMA in your area.