09-22-2007, 01:10 AM
Young hunters will take to the field September 22-23 for a special game-bird season that traditionally marks the start of hunting opportunities for waterfowl, pheasant, quail and partridge around the state. Now in its ninth year, the special youth-only season is open to hunters under age 16 who are accompanied by an adult. The adult is not allowed to hunt during the special youth season.
"The special youth season was created to give young people a chance to develop their hunting skills under the supervision of an adult," said Mick Cope, upland game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "That experience is invaluable both for new hunters and for the future of hunting in our state."
For that reason, WDFW has joined forces with the Washington Waterfowl Association, Pheasants Forever and other hunting organizations to arrange adult mentors for young people who want to hunt but don't have anyone to teach them. Young people 16 or under, or their parents, can get more information about this program by calling WDFW at (360) 902-2515.
Cope noted that this year's start of the special youth hunt on Sept. 22 coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, created by Congress in 1971 to promote outdoor sports and conservation. "Given that the youth hunt is designed to foster a new generation of responsible hunters, it's fitting that these events should fall on the same day this year," he said.
Other key dates for hunters in the days ahead include:
· Sept. 21: Early archery season for elk ends statewide.
· Sept. 24-28: Special pheasant hunt for hunters 65 and older in western Washington.
· Sept. 29: General pheasant-hunting season begins in western Washington.
· Sept. 30: Early archery season for deer ends in most areas of the state.
· Oct. 6: General hunt begins for quail and bobwhite statewide and for chukar and gray partridge in eastern Washington.
· Oct. 13: General hunting seasons for ducks and geese get under way in most areas, although goose hunting will remain closed until Nov. 10 in management area 2A in southwest Washington.
· Oct. 6-12: Early muzzleloader season for deer and elk runs in selected game management units statewide.
· Oct. 13: Deer-hunting season with modern firearms begins in selected game management units statewide.
Before heading out, hunters are advised to check WDFW's Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) or the Big Game Hunting pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) for area-specific regulations.
Media Contact:<br />
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (360) 902-2515
"The special youth season was created to give young people a chance to develop their hunting skills under the supervision of an adult," said Mick Cope, upland game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "That experience is invaluable both for new hunters and for the future of hunting in our state."
For that reason, WDFW has joined forces with the Washington Waterfowl Association, Pheasants Forever and other hunting organizations to arrange adult mentors for young people who want to hunt but don't have anyone to teach them. Young people 16 or under, or their parents, can get more information about this program by calling WDFW at (360) 902-2515.
Cope noted that this year's start of the special youth hunt on Sept. 22 coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, created by Congress in 1971 to promote outdoor sports and conservation. "Given that the youth hunt is designed to foster a new generation of responsible hunters, it's fitting that these events should fall on the same day this year," he said.
Other key dates for hunters in the days ahead include:
· Sept. 21: Early archery season for elk ends statewide.
· Sept. 24-28: Special pheasant hunt for hunters 65 and older in western Washington.
· Sept. 29: General pheasant-hunting season begins in western Washington.
· Sept. 30: Early archery season for deer ends in most areas of the state.
· Oct. 6: General hunt begins for quail and bobwhite statewide and for chukar and gray partridge in eastern Washington.
· Oct. 13: General hunting seasons for ducks and geese get under way in most areas, although goose hunting will remain closed until Nov. 10 in management area 2A in southwest Washington.
· Oct. 6-12: Early muzzleloader season for deer and elk runs in selected game management units statewide.
· Oct. 13: Deer-hunting season with modern firearms begins in selected game management units statewide.
Before heading out, hunters are advised to check WDFW's Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) or the Big Game Hunting pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) for area-specific regulations.
Media Contact:<br />
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (360) 902-2515