Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt Set For This Weekend

IDAHO FALLS - Even though the start of the regular waterfowl season begin until October 4, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission has once again provided a special opportunity to help introduce young people to the exciting sport of waterfowl hunting. This Saturday and Sunday, September 27th & 28th, marks the annual youth waterfowl hunt. This year promises to see even more young hunters out in the marshes, thanks to the new youth hunting law that took effect last January. Now it is legal for 10 and 11 year olds who have successfully completed hunter education to hunt waterfowl. Those young people who took hunter ed classes since January also had the added incentive of receiving a free Youth Hunter Education Graduate License as a graduation present! For the young people ages 11 to 15 that were already certified, they can take part in the special hunt if they possess either a Junior hunting license, Youth Small Game License or a Nonresident Junior Mentored License, all costing $6.50 each. State and 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 cost $1.50. During the regular season youth 17 and older must purchase the State waterfowl stamp and Federal regulations require stamps for anyone 16 and older. Each youth taking part in the special hunt must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older who is a licensed hunter. Again this year, the hunt includes both ducks and geese, regular limits and regulations apply. Hunters should be especially sure of what they are shooting, because season dates and harvestable species vary by region. In the Upper Snake Region, pintails and canvasbacks have a shortened season this year that starts on October 4th and runs through December 2nd. Anyone wanting further information about this exciting opportunity for young people or information about hunting at one of the regions wildlife management areas can contact the regional office at 525-7290.