Youth across Idaho will soon have an early shot at waterfowl and pheasants, with September 24-25 marking the youth waterfowl weekend and October 1-7 set for the youth pheasant season.
Exposing youth to positive hunting experiences, especially at an early age, is a critical first step in connecting with the outdoors and with carrying on the hunting tradition.
“Youth hunts provide a great opportunity for adults to introduce young people to the joys and responsibilities of hunting before the regular seasons begin,” said Brenda Beckley, Fish and Game hunter and angler recruitment manager.”
Properly licensed youth 15 years old and younger may participate. At least one adult 18 years old or older having a valid hunting license, must accompany each youth hunting party into the field at all times. Adults are not allowed to hunt waterfowl or pheasants during these hunts.
Waterfowl
The two-day youth waterfowl weekend is set for September 24 and 25. Duck, goose, snipe and coot seasons are open statewide for young hunters only these two days.
Bag limits for ducks and geese are the same as for the general season. Hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license and a migratory bird (HIP) Permit. But a federal migratory Bird (Duck) stamp is not required for hunters 15 and under.
All other state and federal migratory game bird hunting rules and regulations apply.
Please see the 2016 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules brochure available at Fish and Game license vendors and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/migratory.
Pheasant
The youth pheasant season opens statewide Saturday, October 1, and runs through October 7.
The hunt opens a half hour before sunrise, except on the C.J. Strike, Cartier Slough, Fort Boise, Market Lake, Montour, Mud Lake, Niagara Springs, Payette River, and Sterling wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked, when shooting hours begin at 10 a.m.
The daily limit is three cocks, and the possession limit is nine. At WMA’s where pheasants are stocked, the bag limits are two cocks and six in possession.
Youth hunters do not need a WMA upland game bird permit to hunt on WMA’s where pheasants are stocked. All upland game hunters are required to wear hunter orange above the waist during pheasant season when hunting on WMA’s where pheasants are stocked. A hunter orange hat meets this requirement.
For details, see the 2016-2017 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure available at Fish and Game license vendors and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey.