Special Youth Pheasant Hunt & Clinic Set For First Weekend Of October

ROBERTS - Young people today need all the help they can get to be exposed to the wonderful world of hunting. The days of coming home from school, grabbing a shotgun and heading out the backdoor to shoot a few pheasants is long gone. Neither kids nor parents seem to have the time anymore, no matter how many labor saving devices have been created for us. In addition to providing a special hunting opportunity, IDFG is also hosting a clinic to help young hunters brush up on their shooting skills, safe gun handling and knowledge of pheasants. While the special youth only hunts apply statewide, youth are likely to have the best success at IDFG operated wildlife management areas (WMA), where pen-raised pheasants have been purchased from private game farms for release. In the Upper Snake Region, 50 birds have been ordered for release at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Roberts, Idaho. More birds will be released when the general season starts. The clinic being planned for Saturday, October 1 at the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is being offered on a first come basis. Young people interested in taking part need to call the Idaho Falls IDFG Office at 525-7290 and reserve a space. IDFG will be providing shotgun shells and clay pigeons for youth to hone their shooting skills, but hunters will need to provide their own shotguns. The events are free, but youth must still have valid hunting licenses. Because regulations specify that the hunt cannot start until noon on Saturday, October 1 in the Upper Snake Region, IDFG will have staff available from 9 AM to noon for the clinic and the kids will also have the chance to help release the farm raised pheasants for the hunt. Possession of a WMA pheasant permit has been waived for the duration of this special hunt. A sponsor who is at least 18 years of age must also be willing to accompany the youth throughout the hunt. Unlike the youth waterfowl hunt regulations, the accompanying adult is not required to have a hunting license. This difference is due to the fact that waterfowl are managed jointly with the Federal government as migratory species and therefore subject to different rules. Once again this year to help insure a positive first outing, a special 130 acre area at Market Lake WMA has been set aside for this youth hunt and stocked with the pen-raised pheasants. Only participants of the youth hunts and their guardians will be allowed in the area during the special hunt. This special area will once again be set aside for youth and their mentors the entire pheasant season. The special youth hunt in the southern half of the state starts at noon on Saturday, October 1 and runs until one-half hour after sunset that day. It resumes one-half hour before sunset on Sunday, and runs until one-half hour after sunset. The season then closes until the start of the regular season at noon on Saturday, October 15. Normal bag and possession limits will be in place for this hunt. The daily bag limit is 3 cocks; possession limit after the first day of the season is 6 cocks. No harvest of female pheasants is allowed. Upland game regulations booklets are now available free of charge at any IDFG license vendor, IDFG regional office, or at IDFG's website: http://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/ug