EXTRA YOUTH-ONLY DUCK HUNTS AVAILABLE OCT. 15 FOR BERNARDO WILDLIFE AREA

SANTA FE -- Young duck hunters who missed the September drawing deadline have another chance to snag a special opportunity to hunt waterfowl on the Bernardo Wildlife Management Area this fall and winter. The Department of Game and Fish will offer 114 permits online or over-the-counter at Department offices beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 15.

Permits for hunters age 17 or younger will be available for various hunt dates from Oct. 27, 2007, to Jan. 27, 2008. Hunters must have passed a certified hunter education class, be fully licensed and accompanied by a non-hunting adult age 18 or older. Permits will be sold first-come, first-served for a $6 application fee on the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us , or at Department offices in Albuquerque , Santa Fe , Las Cruces , Raton and Roswell .

For more information about the youth waterfowl hunts and other New Mexico small-game and waterfowl hunting opportunities and rules, please see the 2007-2008 Small Game & Waterfowl Rules & Information booklet, available at license vendors statewide or at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.