Youth pheasant hunts

Why consider a Youth Pheasant Hunt

Over the last 10 years, these free youth hunts have hosted 7,212 participants who harvested 7,432 pheasants. Here are five reasons they're so popular:

• No adult competition. Youth hunts happen before the official pheasant season begins.
• Emphasis on safety. A review of safety procedures, controlled access and a defined hunting area characterize many of the hunts.
• Increased chance of success. ODFW releases pen-raised pheasants for each hunt, because early success can help build lifetime hunters.
• Available statewide. There are hunt locations from Ontario to the Willamette Valley to the Rogue.
• They're free!

How they work

Each Youth Pheasant Hunt is a bit different depending on location. Almost all hunts take place at ODFW wildlife areas, though a few are on private land. At a minimum, all hunts offer a place to hunt and a chance to harvest planted pheasants.

• Some hunts require advanced sign-up and some are first come, first served. The total number of participants and the hunt hours may also vary by location.
• Some offer a just a location and planted birds for young hunters to go out with family or friends. Great for kids who have an experienced hunter to mentor them during the hunt.
• Other hunts include safety presentations, shotgun shooting practice and/or efforts to connect young hunters with mentors and trained dogs. These are good choices for kids whose parents don’t hunt, and who don’t have a hunting mentor.

Find the right hunt for you

Part of selecting a hunt will depend on your location and what hunts are nearby. Once you find a local hunt, contact the local hunt coordinator to see exactly what to expect on that hunt. (You’ll find numbers for more information in the hunt descriptions below.) In addition, let the hunt know if you have any special needs or hunting requests, such as:

• Borrowing a shotgun and safety gear.
• Connecting with a hunting mentor to show you the ropes.
• Getting the chance to hunt with a trained hunting dog.
• Addressing mobility issues or other special needs.

Our hunt coordinators will try to work with you as much as they can to create a successful hunt for you.

In order to participate

To participate in Youth Pheasant Hunts, you must:

• Be 17 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Hunter Education Certificate.
• Have a valid hunting license, if 12 or older, with an upland game bird validation, and a permit for the hunt area, if required.
• Wear a blaze orange hat and vest, and shooting glasses or other eye protection. Adults accompanying you must also wear these same items.
• Use only federally approved non-toxic shot.

2023 Youth Upland Game Bird Hunts

How to sign up

Reservations are required, except at Fern Ridge, Klamath and EE Wilson wildlife areas.

• Hunters can sign up for just one day. However, kids without reservations or who want to hunt a second day may be able to hunt on a standby basis.
• Make reservations online.
• Registration is free, and the last day to register is the Thursday before the hunt.

Open hunt areas and regulations

CHARLESTON Coquille Valley Wildlife Area – Sept. 23 & 24

• Max # of hunters: 20.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Call 541-888-5515 for more information.

CENTRAL POINT Denman Wildlife Area – Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 90.
• Reservations required, standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite from 8am -5pm
• Call 541-826-8774 for more information.

EUGENE Fern Ridge Wildlife Area – Sept. 9 & 10

• Max # of hunters: 75 hunters afield.
• No advanced registration required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at the Ken Nielson Rd. parking lot.
• East and West Coyote and Fisher Butte units will be open to hunting.
• Call 541-935-2591 for more information.

PRAIRIE CITY (private land in John Day Valley) – Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• The hunt will take place on private lands in the John Day Valley.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite from 8am - 3pm.
• Call 541-575-1167 for more information.

KLAMATH FALLS Klamath Wildlife Area – Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 80.
• No advanced registration required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in located 1/4 West of Hwy 97 on the North side of Miller Island Rd
• Call 541-883-5732 for more information.

The local chapter of Unlimited Pheasants will provide additional pheasants for this hunt.

LA GRANDE Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area – Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 35.
• Reservations required, standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in starts at Ladd Marsh Headquarters, 59116 Pierce Rd.
• Only a designated portion of the area will be open.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am - 5pm.
• Call 541-963-4954 for more information.

MADRAS  (Central Oregon) - Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• This hunt is on private land. Check-in is at Rocker 3 Ranch, 10 NE Juniper Ln. Madras, Oregon 97741
• Call 541-447-5111 for more information.

MONMOUTH E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area – Sept. 23 & 24

• Max # of hunters: 70.
• No advanced reservation required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Only a designated portion of the area will be open.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am - 4pm.
• For more information 541-745-5334 .

PENDLETON Irrigon Wildlife Area – Sept. 23

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required, standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at parking lot at milepost 177.5 on Hwy 730 between Umatilla and Irrigon
• For more information: 541-276-2344.

PORTLAND Sauvie Island Wildlife Area – Sept. 16 & 17

• Max # of hunters: 50.
• Reservations required, standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at the intersection of NW Reeder & NW Rentenaar Rd
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am -5pm.
• For more information: 503-621-3488

TYGH VALLEY White River Wildlife Area - Sept 16 & 17

• Maximum # hunters: 20 per day.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• For more information: call 541-296-4628.

Online registration