Spots available for youth waterfowl hunts

A few slots are available in youth waterfowl hunting opportunities for 10- to 15-year old licensed hunters, including a preseason shooting clinic set for Saturday.

The hunts are planned for Sept. 27, the opening day of the annual youth-only waterfowl season.  They’re sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Silver Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. 

The youth season offers novice hunters under age 16 the first shot at locally produced waterfowl that become more wary of hunters and decoys by the time the general seasons open in October.

Space is limited in the following hunts:

• Northern Panhandle Clinic, Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area northwest of Bonners Ferry.

• Central Panhandle Clinic, Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area east of Sandpoint at the Pack River Delta. 

• Southern Panhandle Clinic, Heyburn State Park northwest of St. Maries.

• Silver Valley DU event near Cataldo Mission.

Following the hunts, a free lunch will be provided at each location and the mentors will be available to visit and provide their expertise on waterfowl hunting techniques and waterfowl management.

Young hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult and bring a shotgun and ammunition.

Sign up: For the three IDFG hunts, call (208) 769-1414.  For the Silver Valley hunt, contact Mike Markus (208) 512-3697.