SALEM, Ore.--Sign up now for one of several ODFW Outdoor Skills hunting clinics happening in January and February.

Participants at these clinics learn the basic skills and equipment necessary for rabbit or pheasant hunting, practice their shooting skills, and participate in an actual field hunting experience. All equipment needed to hunt is provided at the event. Thanks to the Mary’s Peak Hound Club and Luckiamute Valley Pheasants, participants will also be able to hunt with an experienced hunting dog.

For more information and to sign up, contact Mark Newell, ODFW’s Outdoor Skills Coordinator, tel. 503-947-6018, email mark.newell@state.or.us.

Jan. 24, 2009 – Small game clinic at EE Wilson Wildlife Area in Monmouth, Ore.
This is a family event for anyone age 12 and over with a valid hunting license. Clinic will teach the basic skills necessary for rabbit hunting like clothing/equipment needs, safety and ethics. It includes shotgun skills practice and a field hunting experience. Mary’s Peak Hound Club is co-hosting this event; club members will have dogs and dog handlers available to assist participants. Cost $50 plus license fees for one adult and one child, lunch and all equipment provided. All participants must have a valid hunting license in their possession during the event.

FULL -  Feb. 21, 2009 - Becoming an Outdoors-Woman pheasant hunting clinic at Luckiamute Valley Pheasants (lvpheasants.com) near Dallas, Ore.
Clinic includes a safety orientation, shotgun shooting practice, and an actual hunt; each group will be paired with a volunteer guide and dog. Cost is $40 plus license fees; lunch and all equipment provided. Participants must have a valid hunting license, an upland game bird tag, and the free HIP validation or the onsite private hunting preserve license in their possession during the event.

FULL - Feb. 22, 2009 – Mentor Youth Hunter Program pheasant hunting clinic at Luckiamute Valley Pheasants (lvpheasants.com) near Dallas, Ore.
Parent or any adult age 21 and older with a valid hunting license and tag can take youth age 9 to 13 hunting. Under the Mentor Youth Hunter program, the youth does not need to pass a hunter education course first. Event includes hunter safety discussion and shotgun skills practice. Each youth/adult pair will hunt with a volunteer guide and an experienced hunting dog. Cost $40 plus license fees per adult/youth pair; lunch and all equipment provided. Mentors must have a valid hunting license, upland game bird tag, and the free HIP validation or the onsite private hunting preserve license in their possession during the event. Both mentor and youth must register for the Mentored Youth Hunter program before taking part in the clinic; see page 42 of the 2008-09 Oregon Game Bird Regulations or visit the program’s website.

Beginning Feb. 1, ODFW will be accepting registrations for a free rabbit hunt for youth (age 17 and younger), Feb. 21 and 22 beginning at 8 a.m. at EE Wilson Wildlife Area in Monmouth. Registration is open now for a rabbit hunt for people with disabilities on Feb. 7 beginning at 8 a.m. at the wildlife area. Members of the Mary’s Peak Hound Club will provide experienced hunting dogs and dog handlers at both of these events. See pages 23 and 31 of the 2008-09 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information and call the wildlife area at 541-745-5334 to sign up.

For more information about ODFW’s Outdoor Skills Programs, visit the program website or call Mark Newell, (503) 947-6018.

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