Young hunters are encouraged to join the Wyoming Game and Fish Department during the Saturday, Oct. 20 Youth Day of the Springer Special Pheasant Hunt for special activities to learn more about pheasant hunting.
There will be opportunities for youth to improve their shooting skills, watch bird dog demos and enjoy a free lunch. The Springer Special Pheasant Hunt takes place at Springer Wildlife Habitat Management area near Yoder. There is a limit of 120 hunters a day and hunters must have a Springer permit to hunt.
“Any kids who missed the application period for Springer permits will still be allowed to hunt as a walk-on,” said Robin Kepple, information specialist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Walk-on hunters must stop at the Springer check station and sign their name on the walk-on list to get their permit. Walk-on hunters can access the field at beginning at 9 a.m. Hunters are reminded that steel shot and one blaze orange hunting garment is required at the Springer WHMA.
Those eligible for the special youth hunts include any youth who has not turned 18 before Oct. 1, 2018. Resident youth under 14 do not need a game bird license, but all hunters, regardless of age, must have the pheasant management permit to participate in these hunts. A hunter education certification is required for all youth. The Hunter Mentor Program may also be an option for those new hunters who have not yet take a hunter education course. Information on the Hunter Mentor Program is available on the Game and Fish website at wgfd.wyo.gov
“Pheasant hunts are one of the youth-only opportunities offered by Game and Fish in Wyoming. For many families, it’s the first hunt for their kids and one that often hooks them on the sport,” Kepple said. For more information call Robin Kepple at (307) 262-0229.