09-15-2007, 01:10 AM
The shooting starts at 6:52 a.m. on September 29
A great way to introduce your kids to waterfowl hunting awaits Sept. 29 as Utah hosts its annual Special Youth Hunting Day.
All of Utah's state waterfowl management areas and federal refuges will be open to hunters 15 years of age and younger that day. To qualify for the hunt, young hunters must complete the state's Hunter Education course, have a current hunting license and be accompanied by an adult.
This season, the youth hunt will begin a little earlier. Shooting starts at 6:52 a.m. on Sept. 29.
Waterfowl hunters are reminded that the general waterfowl hunt begins on Oct. 6. In Cache, Box Elder, Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, shooting starts at 8 a.m. that day.
A fun day
"The youth hunt is a great way to get young people excited about waterfowl hunting," says Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "A lot of ducks are always available that day, and the kids have the marsh all to themselves.
"And, since adults can't hunt that day, they can focus all of their attention on these young hunters. The youth day gives adults more time to teach the kids how to be good, safe and ethical hunters."
Time change
One change that awaits youth hunters this season is the opportunity to start shooting at 6:52 a.m.
"When we started the youth day a few years ago, we were concerned about the amount of light the youth hunters would have early in the morning," Aldrich says. "We were concerned about their ability to identify ducks, and we also had some safety concerns."
The DWR has learned a lot about the youth day through the years.
"Most of the adults who go into the marsh that day are experienced hunters. They've done a great job mentoring the kids and helping them identify ducks," Aldrich says.
"Also, many of these young hunters have hunted ducks for at least a year or two. Many of them are really good at identifying ducks on their own."
And crowding hasn't been an issue. "Good numbers of kids and adults turn out for the youth day, but the numbers aren't anywhere near the crowds we see on the opening day of the general season," Aldrich says.
There's an additional advantage to starting the youth day a little sooner. "By 8 a.m., most of the Canada geese have flown out of the hunting areas," Aldrich says. "Starting the day a little earlier should increase the chance these kids have of bagging a goose."
For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
A great way to introduce your kids to waterfowl hunting awaits Sept. 29 as Utah hosts its annual Special Youth Hunting Day.
All of Utah's state waterfowl management areas and federal refuges will be open to hunters 15 years of age and younger that day. To qualify for the hunt, young hunters must complete the state's Hunter Education course, have a current hunting license and be accompanied by an adult.
This season, the youth hunt will begin a little earlier. Shooting starts at 6:52 a.m. on Sept. 29.
Waterfowl hunters are reminded that the general waterfowl hunt begins on Oct. 6. In Cache, Box Elder, Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, shooting starts at 8 a.m. that day.
A fun day
"The youth hunt is a great way to get young people excited about waterfowl hunting," says Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "A lot of ducks are always available that day, and the kids have the marsh all to themselves.
"And, since adults can't hunt that day, they can focus all of their attention on these young hunters. The youth day gives adults more time to teach the kids how to be good, safe and ethical hunters."
Time change
One change that awaits youth hunters this season is the opportunity to start shooting at 6:52 a.m.
"When we started the youth day a few years ago, we were concerned about the amount of light the youth hunters would have early in the morning," Aldrich says. "We were concerned about their ability to identify ducks, and we also had some safety concerns."
The DWR has learned a lot about the youth day through the years.
"Most of the adults who go into the marsh that day are experienced hunters. They've done a great job mentoring the kids and helping them identify ducks," Aldrich says.
"Also, many of these young hunters have hunted ducks for at least a year or two. Many of them are really good at identifying ducks on their own."
And crowding hasn't been an issue. "Good numbers of kids and adults turn out for the youth day, but the numbers aren't anywhere near the crowds we see on the opening day of the general season," Aldrich says.
There's an additional advantage to starting the youth day a little sooner. "By 8 a.m., most of the Canada geese have flown out of the hunting areas," Aldrich says. "Starting the day a little earlier should increase the chance these kids have of bagging a goose."
For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.