Early start for young hunters
The absolute best time of the year to take a kid bird hunting is coming up before the general hunting seasons open.
“The special youth seasons are the best deal of the year for a hunter to take a kid, especially for waterfowl,” said Matt Monda, Washington Department of Fish and wildlife regional wildlife manager in Ephrata.
“There’s always lots of uneducated local birds of the year around and you can get some great shooting with very little competition,” he said. “I’ve religiously taken my kids and nephew out for that hunt. They’ve shot a lot of birds and they’re hooked on waterfowl hunting.
“I think the best part is that the adult can’t shoot. It’s all up to the kids, and I have the most fun of the hunting season helping them out.”
Idaho and Washington both have designated youth bird hunting weekends in early fall, when kids 15 years old and younger who are accompanied by an adult can hunt most ducks and some birds before the general seasons open.
Washington’s youth upland bird and waterfowl hunt is Sept. 23-24
It’s open to licensed hunters under 16 who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years or older. Kids can take upland birds plus waterfowl except for snipe and canvasbacks. Note: limits are different for some species than they are in the general seasons.
Youth hunters can pursue duck, coot, Canada goose and pheasant in both Eastern and Western Washington, as well as quail, chukar and Hungarian partridge in Eastern Washington.
North Idaho’s youth waterfowl hunt, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, allows the kids to hunt ducks and geese and other waterfowl, with some restrictions.
Panhandle youth pheasant season is Oct. 7-8. Note: Limits vary by region.
Both states also have programs to help kids get started, beginning with the prerequisite hunter education courses. Sportsmen’s groups also help youngsters take advantage of the youth hunting weekends.
Washington youth mentor hunts are organized by groups for the Sept. 23-24 hunts. Contact the Fish and Wildlife Department for a match-up, (360) 902-2515.
The mentor group most active in the Spokane area is the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, (509) 487-8552.
Idaho’s youth waterfowl clinic is set for Sept. 30 at the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area. Following a morning hunt with experienced waterfowlers, participants will enjoy a free barbeque and a waterfowl skills clinic. To reserve a spot, call Bryan Helmich at the Idaho Fish and Game office in Coeur d’Alene, (208) 769-1414.