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Oregon

Game Bird Hunting

Game Bird Hunting

Youth Hunting Opportunities

Youth Waterfowl Hunts

Eligibility

Unless noted, hunters 17 years and younger who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult 21 years of age or older, are eligible to participate. Youth participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program (see Mentored Youth Hunter Program) are not eligible to participate. On ODFW managed lands, shooting glasses (eye protection) must be worn by all participants, including adults.

Requirements

Each youth hunter must have in possession:

  • A Hunter Education Certificate (or a Department issued document [ex. hunting license] which includes their Hunter Education Certificate Number).
  • Permit for the hunt area (if required).
  • Valid hunting license with HIP validation in possession.
  • Hunters 12 years of age or older must have a state waterfowl validation in possession.
  • Hunters 16 years of age or older must have a valid federal duck stamp in possession.

Statewide Season

Sept. 30 - Oct. 1. Some public lands are not open for hunting during this season, please check with the appropriate management agency for allowance of youth hunting. All ODFW WAs allow youth hunting. Note: only the Westside Unit of Sauvie Island WA is open and this youth hunt will be conducted in the same manner as the Westside Units during general waterfowl season. Hunting at Baskett Slough NWR is by advance reservation. For application and more information, see fws.gov/refuge/baskett-slough. Applications are accepted Aug. 1-31. Phone: 541-757-7236.

Bag Limit

Hunters may take ducks (including scaup), mergansers, coots and geese at the established bag limits (see Reservation & Permit Application).

Additional Wildlife Area / Refuge Youth Days

  • Fern Ridge WA: Nov. 25 and Dec. 27. The East, West, and South Coyote units are open only to youth hunters. Hunters should apply for a hunt (see Reservation & Permit Application for application procedures). Successful applicants must purchase their reservation permit before arriving at the WA.
  • Klamath WA: Oct. 28. The Miller Island Unit will be open to youth hunters only.
  • Sauvie Island WA: Oct. 28, Nov. 12, Dec. 9, Dec. 28, and Jan. 13, 2024. The Mudhen, Hunt and Racetrack units will be open, except Mudhen will not be open for the Nov. 12 youth hunt. Youth only until noon. After 12 p.m., Mentored Youth Hunters and adults accompanied by youth hunters, may hunt. Hunters may apply for hunts (see Reservation & Permit Application for application procedures); however, no one over the age of 17 may apply with a youth in a party application. Hunters with reservations will have first opportunities at selecting hunting blinds. Successful applicants must purchase their reservation permit before arriving at the WA.
  • Tualatin Rvr NWR: Nov. 11, Nov. 19, Nov. 25, Dec. 3, Dec. 9, Dec. 17, Dec. 23, Dec. 31, and Jan. 6, 2024 by reservation in the Riverboat Unit. For application and more information, see fws.gov/refuge/tualatin-river/visit-us/activities/hunting. Applications are accepted Aug. 15 – Oct. 1. Phone: 503-625-5944.
  • Umatilla NWR: Nov. 18, youths must be 10-17 years old to participate in this hunt, and must be accompanied by an adult companion at least 18 years old. Reservation and blind fees are waived for the Youth Hunt Day. Applications for the Youth Hunt Day are accepted through the second Friday in Sept. For online applications, more information, and refuge-specific regulations, see fws.gov/refuge/umatilla. Phone: 509-546-8300.

Youth Upland Bird Hunts

Season Dates

  • Sept. 9-10: Fern Ridge WA.
  • Sept. 16-17: Denman, Klamath, Ladd Marsh, Sauvie Island, White River WAs. Central Oregon (Madras) and John Day.
  • Sept. 23: Irrigon WA
  • Sept. 23-24: Coquille Valley and E. E. Wilson.
  • Oct. 28: Klamath WA.

Bag Limit

Hunters may take rooster pheasants, quail and doves according to statewide bag limits unless otherwise indicated under specific area regulations. Pheasants purchased with upland game bird validation revenue will be stocked.

Eligibility

Hunters age 17 years and younger are eligible to participate. In these hunts an adult 21 years or older, who may not hunt, must accompany not more than one youth hunter. All participants must attend a safety briefing.

Requirements

Each youth hunter must have in possession:

  • A Hunter Education Certificate (or a Department issued document [ex. Hunting license] which includes their Hunter Education Certificate Number).
  • Permit for the hunt area (if required).
  • Hunters 12 years or older must have a valid hunting license with an upland game bird validation.
  • A blaze orange hat, shooting glasses (eye protection) and vest must be worn by all participants, including adults.

Reservations

Hunting is available by reservation unless noted otherwise. Each hunter may reserve only one day. However, youth hunters without a reservation and those wishing to hunt a second day, may hunt on a standby basis if reservations are underfilled, or as registered hunters check out. Reservations must be made online (myodfw.com) or at a license sales agent. There is no cost to register. The deadline to register is the Thursday before the hunt.

Check In and Out

Hunters and accompanying adults must check in and out at the location specified for each hunt area. Permits will be issued at the check station on the day of the hunt. Unless noted below, check-in time and hunting hours will be provided when making a reservation.

Open Hunt Areas and Regulations

  • Central Oregon (Madras): Maximum number of hunters is 80. The hunt will take place on private land near Madras. Call 541-447-5111 for more information.
  • Coquille Valley WA: Maximum number of hunters is 20 per day. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 541-888-5515 for more information.
  • Denman WA: Maximum number of hunters is 85. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 541-826-8774 for more information.
  • E.E. Wilson WA: Maximum number of hunters is 70. Only a designated portion of the area will be open. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 541-745-5334 for more information.
  • Fern Ridge WA: Maximum number of hunters is 75 in the field at any one time. No advanced reservations are required. Hunters check-in starting at 7:00 a.m. at a check station located in the Nielson Rd parking lot. Hunting hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. East and West Coyote and Fisher Butte units are open to hunting. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 541-935-2591 for more information.
  • Irrigon WA: Maximum number of hunters is 30 per day with no more than 15 at any time. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. The shotgun skills clinic will take place on cooperating private lands located near Irrigon. Call 541-276-2344 for more information.
  • John Day Area: Maximum number of hunters is 30. The hunt will take place on private lands in the John Day Valley. Call 541-575-1167 for more information.
  • Klamath WA: Sept. 16-17 hunt — Maximum number of hunters is 80. Hunting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Oct. 28 hunt — The Miller Island Unit will be open to youth hunters only. Hunting is on a first-come basis. No reservations are required. The local chapter of Unlimited Pheasants (unlimitedpheasantskfalls.com/) provide additional pheasants for this hunt. Call 541-883-5732 for more information.
  • Ladd Marsh WA: Maximum number of hunters is 35. No advanced reservations are required. Hunters check in and out at a check station located at the Ladd Marsh Headquarters, 59116 Pierce Rd. Check stations will be open at 7:00 a.m. and hunting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only a designated portion of the area will be open. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 541-963-4954 for more information.
  • Sauvie Island WA: Maximum number of hunters is 50. Hunting will occur only on Eastside hunt units and entry to this area without a valid youth hunt permit is prohibited on hunt days. Only federally-approved nontoxic shot may be used. Call 503-621-3488 for more information.
  • White River WA: Maximum number of hunters is 20 per day. The hunt will take place on White River WA near Wamic. Call 541-296-4628 for more information.

Youth Chukar Hunt

The Klamath Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association, in cooperation with ODFW, will offer a youth hunting opportunity for chukar in the Lower Klamath Hills Regulated Hunt Area on Oct. 21-22. The bag limit is two chukar. Each youth must be accompanied by one adult age 21 years or older. The adult will be asked to refrain from hunting and will be required to wear hunter orange. The mentored youth hunter program will apply to this hunt since it is within the general season dates for chukar. Youth hunters will be required to wear hunter orange and safety glasses. Hunting is available by reservation, call Jason Reed, Klamath Chapter OHA at 541-643-7077 prior to the hunt. The number of participants for this youth hunt will be limited.

Spring Youth Wild Turkey Hunt

There will be a spring youth wild turkey hunt Apr. 13-14, 2024. Hunters age 17 years and younger are eligible to participate. In these hunts an adult 21 years or older, who may not hunt, must accompany not more than one youth hunter. Youth participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program (see Mentored Youth Hunter Program) are not eligible to participate in the April 13-14 youth hunt. Hunters must possess a 2024 youth spring turkey tag. Youths with an unfilled tag may also hunt during the Apr. 15 - May 31 spring season (see Turkey Seasons).

Youth Shotgun Skills Clinics

The ODFW Hunter Education Program will sponsor free shotgun skills clinics in conjunction with some Sept. Youth Hunts. Clinics are open to anyone 17 years of age and younger. Participants will be taught basic shotgun skills and many will be given the opportunity to shoot sporting clays. Clay targets and shotshells will be provided. The clinics will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and individuals can come and leave at any time.

For further information please call your local ODFW office or the Oregon Hunter Education Program 503-947-6028. No pre-registration is required.

Online Hunter Education Registration

Sign up for a class online: myodfw.com/articles/hunter-education-classes-and-field-days-schedule. For more information, call 503-947-6028.

Who Needs to Take Hunter Education?

  • Anyone age 17 or under must have proof of hunter education in their possession (certificate or valid license that includes hunter education number) when hunting on land other than their own property, except youths participating in the Mentored Youth Program.
  • Many states require ALL hunters to have passed hunter education — plan your out-of-state hunts accordingly.
  • There is no minimum age requirement to take a class; however a child must be able to physically handle a firearm safely and understand the concepts of firearm safety and other topics covered in class.

How to Obtain a Duplicate Card?

Learn to Hunt Game Birds

Throughout the year, ODFW hosts several learn-to-hunt workshops designed to teach beginning hunters (or those who need a refresher) how to hunt game birds in Oregon. Participants learn how to handle firearms safely, hunt game birds, and clean birds after harvesting. Focus species include pheasant, waterfowl, and wild turkey. Participants are required to complete an ODFW Shotgun Skills course before participating in a pheasant or waterfowl workshop. To register for ODFW workshops, visit myodfw.com/workshops-and-events. Workshops update seasonally, so be sure to check before your season starts.