Stocking pheasants slated for youth hunting opportunity

Idaho youths can bang at flying birds starting Saturday in selected areas in the Palouse and near Lewiston.

Pheasants will be released at both the Palouse River upland game area, an Access Yes! Property west of Potlatch and the Loyd Ranch property south of Lewiston prior to the Oct. 6 through Oct.12 youth pheasant season. Birds will continue to be released throughout the general season Oct. 13 through Dec. 31.

Both hunting areas lie within 2 ½ hours of Coeur d’Alene with the nearest, the Palouse hunt, lying about an hour south of the Lake City.

The Loyd Ranch includes more than 2,000 acres of range and canyonlands, and the Palouse area includes more than 800 acres of hay, river bottom and crop land.

Released birds are banded to help Fish and Game determine how many of the birds are harvested, according to IDF&G. Bands can be reported by calling the Idaho Fish and Game office in Lewiston at 208-799-5010 and hunters will be entered into a drawing for a prize with each band number they report. A prize drawing is held at the end of the season.

Young hunters must be 17 or younger, have a valid hunting license, and be accompanied by an adult 18 or older with a valid license. Adults are allowed to hunt this property after the youth hunt ends, and the Oct. 13 general season begins.

About 20 birds will be released onto the Palouse area every Friday, said Jim Hagedorn, who oversees the property.

“There’s a lot of room for 8 to 10 kids to hunt at a time,” Hagadorn said.

IDF&G requires potential hunters to register on the IDF&G website to hunt the Palouse ground.

For directions to the property, and to sign up, visit the IDF&G website and click on the Access Yes! Tab on the Hunting page.