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

IDAHO FALLS - The world today has changed and hunting isn't as accessible to young people as it used to be. Parents either lack the time or hunting skills to pass on to their children. To help reverse this tide, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission has once again made youth pheasant hunting clinics an important priority and set aside special hunting opportunity for young people. This year's clinic will be held on Saturday, October 6 at the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Roberts, Idaho. The clinic is free, but space is limited and certain restrictions do apply. The purpose of the clinic is to help expose young people to the thrill of upland game hunting. Clinic topics will involve safe gun handling, hunter ethics, basic shotgun skills and pheasant hunting techniques. The clinic is open to young people 12 to 15 years of age. Every youngster who signs up must have already completed hunter education and hold a valid hunting license. 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. Some shotguns will be available for use, but it is strongly encouraged that youth bring a shotgun from home if one is available. Response in past years to this same event has been so positive that advance registrations are required. Youth wishing to participant must contact the regional IDFG Office no later than 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 4. Detailed information about the clinic will be provided to those who register in advance, no walk-ins will be accepted to the clinic. Registrations can be made by calling 525-7290. The special youth hunt in the southern half of the state starts at noon on Saturday, October 6 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 13. Special bag and possession limits also exist for this hunt. The daily bag limit is 1 cock; possession limit after the first day of the season is 2 cocks. To help insure a positive first outing, a special area at Market Lake WMA will be set aside for this youth hunt and stocked with pen-raised pheasants. Only participants of the youth hunts and their guardians will be allowed in the area for the duration of the special season.