For the third year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is offering area youth an opportunity to hunt pheasants at a youth-only event on the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) near Buffalo.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, only youth hunters ages 17 and under will be allowed to hunt pheasants on the WHMA. There will be no limit on the number of youth hunters allowed at the Bud Love WHMA and they will be allowed to come and go throughout the day. Game and Fish personnel will be on site to welcome hunters and answer questions.
All youth hunters must be properly licensed and have a $15.50 pheasant special management stamp, available for purchase at all license selling agents and on the WGFD website. Resident hunters under the age of 14 do not need a bird license but must be accompanied by an adult. However, the adult is not allowed to take pheasants that day.
Additionally, participating youth hunters must have successfully completed a Hunter Safety Course or be enrolled in the Hunter Mentor Program. Hunters can enroll in the Hunter Mentor Program online at www.wgfd.wyo.gov Any adult serving as a mentor to a youth hunter that day must possess a current Wyoming small game or game bird license and carry proof of having completed a Hunter Safety Course.
Hunters pursuing other species such as deer, elk, turkeys or upland birds may access the Bud Love area that day, but are not allowed to harvest pheasants.
All pheasant hunters on the Bud Love WHMA are required to wear one piece of fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothing while hunting such as a hat, vest, jacket or other visible garment.
Nonresident youth are welcome to participate, but regulations differ for resident and nonresident hunters. Please refer to the Upland Game Bird and Small Game regulation booklet or contact the Sheridan Regional Office for more details.