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 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 Safety Education Certificate (or a Department issued document [ex. hunting license] which includes their Hunter Safety 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. 26-27. 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 Migratory Game Bird Seasons).

Additional Wildlife Area / Refuge Youth Days

• Fern Ridge WA: Nov. 28 and Dec. 28. The Coyote units are open only to youth hunters. Hunters should apply for a hunt (see application procedures).
• Klamath WA: Oct. 24. The Miller Island Unit will be open to youth hunters only.
• Sauvie Island WA: Oct. 31, Nov. 15, Dec. 12, Dec. 28, and Jan. 17, 2027. The Mudhen, Hunt and Racetrack units will be open, except Mudhen will not be open for the Nov. 15 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 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.
• Tualatin Rvr NWR: Nov. 7, Nov. 15, Nov. 21, Nov. 29, Dec. 5, Dec. 13, Dec. 19, Dec. 27, and Jan. 2, 2027 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. 14, 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. 12-13: Fern Ridge WA
• Sept. 19-20: Denman, Klamath, Ladd Marsh Sauvie Island, and White River WAs. John Day
• Sept. 26-27: Coquille Valley, E.E. Wilson, and Irrigon (Sept. 26 only) WAs.
• Oct. 24: Klamath WA.

Bag Limit

Hunters may take rooster pheasants, quail, chukar, Hungarian partridge, 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 Safety Education Certificate (or a Department issued document [ex. Hunting license] which includes their Hunter Safety 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/articles/youth-upland-bird-hunts). 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

• 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 nearby private land. 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. 19-20 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. 24 hunt — 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) provides additional pheasants. 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 the check station at the Ladd Marsh Headquarters, 59116 Pierce Rd. Check station opens 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. 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. 24-25. 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 Klamath Chapter OHA at (541) 883-8326 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. 10-11, 2027. 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 are not eligible to participate in the Apr. 10-11 youth hunt. Hunters must possess a 2027 youth spring turkey tag. Youths with an unfilled tag may also hunt during the Apr. 15 - May 31 spring season (see Turkey Seasons).