Noel Nelson of Canyon City takes aim at a pheasant during last year’s youth upland bird hunt in Grant County. - Photo courtesy of ODFW-

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW and various sportsman groups will host a series of upland bird hunts for youth age 17 and under at locations statewide during the month of September.

Participants can pursue pheasants, which will be stocked at all locations, plus quail and doves. A free shooting clinic will coincide with most events, so participants can practice target shooting too (shells, clay targets provided at clinics).

“Hunting pheasants and other upland birds are a great way to introduce young people to the sport of hunting,” Brandon Reishus, ODFW assistant game bird staff biologist. “These clinics fill up quickly at some locations so sign up now by calling the numbers provided below.”

There is no extra fee to participate in these special hunts but youth must have a hunter education certificate, a hunting license w/HIP validation, upland bird validation, and be accompanied by an adult that will not be hunting. (Hunters 13 years of age and under receive their hunting license for free and are not required to purchase an upland bird validation.)  All participants, including adults, must wear a blaze orange hat, blaze orange vest and eye protection (provided at event) and attend a brief safety meeting before their hunt. See page 22 of the 2008-09 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information.

Sept. 6-7

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area (Eugene). No advance registration required; call 541 935 2591 for more information.
Klamath Wildlife Area (Klamath Falls), tel. 541 883 5732
Free shotgun skills clinic 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. both days at Klamath WA.

Sept. 13-14

Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (La Grande), tel. 541 963 2138
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (Portland), 503 621 3488
John Day, 541 575 1167
Mid-Columbia (Wasco-Sherman Counties), 541 296 4628
Ontario-Vale, 541 889 2859
Free shotgun skills clinics 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. both days at all locations but Ontario-Vale.

Sept. 20 – NEW FOR 2008

Heppner, 541 676 5230

Sept. 20-21

E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area (Monmouth), 541 745 5334
Irrigon Wildlife Area (Pendleton), 541 276 2344
Baker City, 541 963 2138
Willow Creek (Madras area), tel. 541 447 5111
Free shotgun skills clinics 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. both days at all locations but E.E. Wilson.

Sept. 27-28

Denman Wildlife Area (White City), 541 826 8774
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area (Monmouth), 541 745 5334
Free shotgun skills clinics both days 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at both locations.

Youth waterfowl hunts

Youth age 15 and under will also get the field to themselves the weekend of Sept. 27-28 (before the opening of statewide waterfowl season Oct. 11) during a youth-only waterfowl hunt at ODFW wildlife areas and other locations statewide. No pre-registration is required for the weekend hunt. Additional youth-only waterfowl hunts for ages 17 and under will be held at Fern Ridge, Klamath and Sauvie Island Wildlife Areas and the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge. See page 22 of the 2008-09 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for how to apply.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area (Eugene), Nov. 22 and Dec. 20
Klamath Wildlife Area (Klamath Falls), Oct. 25
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (Portland), Oct. 19, Nov. 8 and 26, Dec. 14 and 26, Jan. 11
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, Dec. 6. Open to hunters age 10 to 17.

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