8/6/2007

Young hunters: get your application in for special upland game hunts

Ten chukar and pheasant hunts for hunters 15 years of age and younger will be held in Utah this fall. These hunts are a great way to introduce young people to upland game hunting.

"These youth hunts are a lot of fun," says Dean Mitchell, Conservation Outreach Section chief for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "One of the things the kids seem to enjoy the most is not having to compete with older hunters for a bird."

Getting qualified to participate in one of the youth hunts is easy. All that Hunter Education course graduates 15 years of age and younger have to do is complete an application and write a one-paragraph essay on: "I want to continue the Utah upland game hunting tradition because " or, "I would like to start my own upland game hunting tradition because "

Applications due soon

To be considered for a hunt, applications and essays must be received by Aug. 24 for one of the youth chukar hunts. Youth pheasant hunt applications and essays are due by Sept. 7.

The best way to apply for the hunts is online at wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame. Paper applications are also available at DWR offices and hunter education centers, and on page 25 of the 2007–2008 Upland Game Hunting Guide.

Hunt dates

The youth chukar hunts will be held Sept. 8 on five state wildlife management areas (WMAs). The youth pheasant hunts will be held Nov. 10 on four state WMAs and one Walk-In Access area.

"Youth hunts are being held across the state, so no matter where you live, a hunt should be offered fairly close to you," Mitchell says.

The WMAs and the Walk-In Access area will be closed to all other hunters on the day the youth hunts are held.

Getting youth excited about upland game hunting

"Over the past few years, the number of young people who hunt in Utah has declined a lot," Mitchell says. "These youth hunts are a way to reverse that trend by allowing young people, without competition from other hunters, to go into the field and experience what it's like to take an upland game bird.

"The hunts also allow us a hands-on way to teach these young people what it means to be a responsible and ethical hunter."

For more information about the hunts, visit wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame, call the nearest DWR office or see pages 24 and 25 of the 2007–2008 Upland Game Hunting Guide.