A Place for New Hunters

By Al Van Vooren, Regional Supervisor Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Southwest Region "We didn't know where to go." That was one of the common reasons given when Fish and Game surveyed young hunter education graduates who did not subsequently go hunting. If you or someone you know has faced the challenge of where to take a new hunter, Fish and Game wants to help. In the years since that survey was completed, a number of new hunting opportunities have been created making it easier than ever for budding new hunters to take to the field. When selecting a location to go hunting- especially with a new hunter -it's important to find a place where the new hunter has minimal competition from veteran hunters. It's also a plus to be able to hunt game that hasn't been schooled for weeks learning to successfully evade people. For those reasons, special youth hunting seasons have been created for ducks, pheasants, and turkeys where hunters under 16 years of age (accompanied by a non-hunting, licensed adult) have their own weekend to hunt prior to the general opener for other hunters. Another opportunity afforded youth, in an attempt to improve their odds of harvesting an animal, is an antlerless deer "season" especially for them. It's not a separate season set aside just for youngsters, but it allows youth the opportunity to harvest a deer of either sex in areas across the state (check out the 2005 Big Game Rule book for specifics). Each year, Fish and Game staff across the state organize special hunting events to help youth get started right. Some staff even take youngsters out on mentored hunts. In Southwest Idaho alone, dozens of physically-challenged and/or young hunters in special situations have received one-on-one assistance bagging their first turkey, deer, pheasant, duck or quail. For some of you, it may just be a case of needing suggestions on where to go hunting. Fish and Game staff won't necessarily suggest a specific rock or bush, but we're here to help point you and your budding new hunter in the right direction. Even while big game seasons wind down for another year, numerous small game seasons remain open. If your young hunter says "let's go hunting" take pause. Before you respond with "I'd love to, but I don't know where to go," give Fish and Game a call.