Fish and Game plans youth waterfowl hunting

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has scheduled three mentored waterfowl hunting opportunities for youngsters aged 10-15.

In addition, the Silver Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a similar event on the same day. The hunts are planned for Sept. 27, the opening day of the annual youth-only waterfowl season.

The youth season is a special opportunity open only to hunters old enough to purchase a hunting license but younger than 16. This special two-day season was started several years ago to give young hunters an opportunity to hunt waterfowl before the general season opens.

Once the general season is open for a few days, the birds tend to scatter and become wary of decoys and waterfowl hunting activity.

A Northern Panhandle Clinic will be held at the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area northwest of Bonners Ferry near the border with Canada.

The Central Panhandle Clinic will take place at the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area east of Sandpoint at the Pack River Delta.

A Southern Panhandle Clinic will be held at Heyburn State Park northwest of St. Maries.

The Silver Valley Ducks Unlimited event will be held in the Cataldo Mission area.

Following the hunts, a free lunch will be provided at each location and the mentors will be available to visit and provide their expertise on waterfowl hunting techniques. Fish and Game staff will discuss waterfowl management and habitat management for waterfowl.

Young hunters will need to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult and bring a shotgun (plugged to hold no more than three shells) and ammunition. Shells must be non-toxic shot, as lead shot is not allowed for waterfowl hunting.

Participation in the mentored hunts requires advance reservations and space is limited.

Anyone interested should call to reserve a spot at one of the hunts and to obtain additional details.

For the three Fish and Game hunts, call (208) 769-1414. For the Silver Valley Ducks Unlimited hunt, contact Mike Markus at (208) 512-3697, or by email at mmarkus@lovingcarehomehealth.com.

Fish and Game has a limited number of shotguns that can be borrowed if needed. If a participant needs to borrow one, please make that request when registering.

Fish and Game also is offering an opportunity to help youth registered for any of the four hunts to sharpen their shotgun skills the Saturday preceding the hunts.

Shotgun shooting instructors will be available at the Farragut Shooting Range on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Fish and Game will provide 20 clay targets for each participant. You can sign up for this when registering for the hunts.

Young hunters will need to purchase a youth small game license for $7.25, with a migratory bird validation for $1.75, prior to the event.

They must have the license with them while on the hunt.

Federal duck stamps are not required for hunters until the age of 16. Hunting passports do not work for this event, as completion of a hunter education program is required to participate.

A couple of years ago as we were heading into the field for the youth hunt, I asked my group of hunters if they had their licenses in their pockets. All had purchased licenses, but one forgot to bring his. He was not able to participate because he did not have his license with him. That was one disappointed kid. He got up at 3 a.m. to get the Heyburn State Park and had to stay in the car while his friend hunted.

Hunting ducks takes a level of knowledge that can best be obtained through experience.

The idea behind these mentored hunts is to provide the young participants and their parent or legal guardian the opportunity to be paired with an experienced waterfowl hunter who can show them how to hunt ducks and geese. This quality hunting experience is intended to provide the youth and their guardian the training needed to repeat the experience on their own.

Fish and Game has held numerous waterfowl hunting clinics in classroom settings that help new waterfowl hunters learn the ropes. But nothing gets a youngster more hooked on waterfowl hunting than getting into the field near a body of water before daylight to wait for ducks to take flight.

Fish and Game is also looking for experienced waterfowl hunters willing to assist with the clinics. If you want to help pass on the tradition of waterfowl hunting, please call either of the numbers listed above.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator in Coeur d'Alene for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.