Sept. 07–Youth waterfowling
 Youth-only waterfowl hunting seasons for 2014 are set as follows, open only to licensed hunters under age 16 accompanied by an adult.
–Washington, Sept. 20-21.
–Idaho, Sept. 27-28.
Mentored waterfowl hunting opportunities for 10- to 15-year old licensed hunters have been scheduled this month by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Silver Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
The hunts and associated activities are planned for Sept. 27, the opening day of the annual youth-only waterfowl season.
The youth season offers novice hunters under age 16 the first shot at locally produced waterfowl that become more wary of hunters and decoys by the time the general seasons open in October.
Participants should sign up early for limited space in the following hunts:
–Northern Panhandle Clinic, Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area northwest of Bonners Ferry.
–Central Panhandle Clinic, Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area east of Sandpoint at the Pack River Delta.
–Southern Panhandle Clinic, Heyburn State Park northwest of St. Maries.
–Silver Valley DU event near Cataldo Mission.
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 and waterfowl management.
Young hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult and bring a shotgun and ammunition.
IDFG has a limited number of shotguns that can be borrowed if requested.
A preliminary shotgun skills clinic will be offered to the all of the participants. Shooting instructors will be available at the Farragut Shooting Range on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. IDFG will provide 20 clay targets and assistance for each participant.
Waterfowl hunters under 16 must purchase a youth small game license for $7.25 with a migratory bird validation, $1.75. Federal duck stamps are not required for hunters until age 16.
Hunting Passports do not work for this event, as completion of a hunter education program is required to participate.
“Hunting ducks takes a level of knowledge that can best be obtained through experience,” said Phil Cooper, IDFG spokesman. “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.”
Sign up: For the three IDFG hunts, call (208) 769-1414. For the Silver Valley DU hunt, contact Mike Markus (208-512-3697), or email [email protected].
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