Young hunters will soon have an early shot at waterfowl and pheasants, with Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 marking the youth waterfowl weekend and Oct. 7 to 13 set for the youth pheasant hunt.
At least one adult 18 years old or older with 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 Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Duck, goose, snipe and coot seasons are open statewide for hunters 17 years of age and younger 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.
See the 2017 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules brochure available at Fish and Game license vendors and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/migratory for details.
Pheasant
Properly licensed youth 15 years old and younger can participate in the youth pheasant hunt that runs from Oct. 7 through Oct. 13.
The hunt opens a half hour before sunrise, except on 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 bag limit is three cocks, and the possession limit is nine, except on nine WMAs in southern Idaho where pheasants are stocked. On these WMAs, the daily limit is two cocks and six in possession.
Youth hunters do not need a WMA upland game bird permit but are required to wear hunter orange above the waist during the pheasant season while hunting on these WMA’s. 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 idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey.
