Skip to main content
idfg-badge

Idaho Fish and Game

Lots Of Fun & Free Waterfowl Activities Planned For Youth On Saturday, Sept. 28th

idfg-staff
MUD LAKE - Even though the great outdoors are always available for everyone to enjoy, each year in America one day is set aside as National Hunting and Fishing Day. This year that day has been set as Saturday, September 28th. But in addition to being National Hunting and Fishing Day, it is also the day that Idaho has set aside to honor sportsman conservationist Jack Hemingway, late son of famous author Ernest Hemingway. Though not nearly as famous as his father, Jack Hemingway gave large portions of his life to working with and for Idaho's wildlife. In order to honor his efforts, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) has worked with Governor Dirk Kempthorne to proclaim this September 28th as Jack Hemingway Day. As part of statewide efforts to honor this auspicious day, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission has set aside September 28 & 29 as special youth waterfowl hunting days. To help young persons get started with the exciting sport of waterfowl hunting the Upper Snake Region of IDFG will be conducting a free youth waterfowl clinic at Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area. Mud Lake WMA is located north of Highway 33 at Mud Lake, Idaho. The clinic will be held at the North Boat Ramp and will run from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Past workshops have been held at Market Lake WMA near Roberts and this will be the first year for Mud Lake WMA to host the event. According to Curtis Hendricks, regional habitat biologist in charge of Mud Lake WMA, "Given the low water year, we figured that Mud Lake would have a better chance of having enough water to draw ducks." Past workshops have been a big hit with both young and old hunters. This year, each young hunter bearing a hunting license will receive a free duck call at the clinic! There will also be drawings for other items donated by local businesses. Participants should bring their own shotguns. The day will feature many different activities. The following are just a sample: use of decoys and calls, duck identification, and shotgun patterning. The day has been especially designed so that youth accompanied by adults can hunt before or after the clinic. Youth ages 12 to 15 can take part in the special hunt if they possess a regular junior hunting license that costs $6.50. Federal waterfowl stamps are not needed for the ages included in this special hunt, but youths must have the special HIP migratory game bird harvest validation that costs $1.50. Licenses and validations can be purchased from any license vendor before hunters head to the marshes. Each youth taking part in the special hunt must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older who is a licensed hunter. Normal bag limits and all other traditional waterfowl regulations apply to this hunt. Anyone wanting further information about this exciting opportunity to introduce young people to the exciting sport of waterfowl hunting can contact the IDFG regional office at 525-7290.