Hunting opportunities for youth

Mentored Youth Hunter Program

The time shared between a youngster and mentor is invaluable. There simply is no better way to introduce a young person to safe, ethical and responsible hunting than with the close supervision of an adult mentor. That is precisely what the Mentored Youth Hunter Program is designed to encourage.

As an incentive to participate in the mentored youth hunting program, youth will receive one mentored youth preference point for each year they register for the program. Once the department receives the youth’s registration form, if the youth does not have a hunter identification number, a number will be assigned and a mentored youth preference point updated in the system.

For youth participants

A youth may participate in the mentored youth hunter program, without first passing an approved hunter education program, provided the youth:

• Is 9 through 15 years old. From age 16 through 17, a youth must pass an approved hunter education program and possess his or her own license and/or tags.
• Hunts while accompanied by a supervising hunter who is 21 years or older and who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area and species being hunted.
• Registers annually and has in possession proof of registration when hunting.
• Reviews and understands ODFW material on safe hunting practices.  
• Follows all regulations regarding hunting in the given wildlife management unit, management area or location.
• Remains under the immediate control of the supervising hunter at all times he or she is holding a weapon.

For supervising hunters

The supervising hunter shall:

• Have a valid hunting license and tag(s) valid for the dates, area and species being hunted.
• Maintain immediate control of the youth hunter at all times he or she is holding a weapon.
• Ensure that all Oregon hunting regulations are followed.
• Supervise only one mentored youth hunter at any given time while hunting.
• Review information on safe hunting practices provided by the department with the youth.

The supervising hunter and the mentored youth hunter shall not collectively possess more than one weapon legal for the hunt at any given time while hunting.

Seasons and bag limits

Any wildlife harvested by the mentored youth hunter shall be counted towards the supervising hunter’s bag limit. The mentored youth hunting program is not applicable to designated youth-only seasons and hunts.

First Time Youth Hunt Program

This programs give families the chance for a back-up plan that ensures new, young hunters will have a chance to hunt even it they are unsuccessful in the controlled hunt drawing.

To qualify for the First Time Youth Hunt Program:

• Resident youth 12 to 17 years old. Youth 11 years old may apply if they will be 12 years old by the time they hunt.
• Youth may not hunt with First Time tags once they turn 18.
• Youth must have applied for and been unsuccessful for 100, 200, and/or 600 series controlled hunts in the current year's controlled hunt drawing.
• Have never drawn a controlled hunt for that respective series including youth hunts and LOP tags.

Application period begins July 1, and your tag must be applied for by the day before the hunt begins.

If tag is not purchased prior to the first day of the hunt, the tag sale deadline fee will apply.

Keep in mind that:

• Youth that apply for a Point Saver in the same year are not eligible for a First Time youth tag for that hunt series.
• A youth loses eligibility for a First Time youth tag in a hunt series once they are successful for any hunt choice in that series (including youth hunts and LOP tags), except for leftover tags.
• Preference points will not be lost if participating in the First Time program.
• Youth can use their First Time program options in any combination (all in one year, one per year, skip years between tags).
• First Time approvals are valid for the year they are approved. If all species are selected and youth is approved for all, then all of the tags will need to be purchased for that year or be forfeited.
• Once a youth has been approved for any or all series First Time youth tags, they are no longer eligible for that series, whether or not the tag is purchased for that year.
• First Time youth tags are not extra tags. Youth are still limited to the maximum number of tags per species (series) per year. For example, a youth can possess only one controlled buck deer tag or one general rifle deer tag or one general bow deer tag or one leftover tag, if available.
• Other hunters with appropriate tags may hunt with youth.

The First Time Youth Hunt Program applies to all controlled hunts that meet a minimum tag allocation:

Buck Deer (100 series): at least 201 tags.
Elk (200 series) antlerless only: at least 51 tags.
Antlerless deer (600 series): at least 51 tags.

To apply for the first-time youth tag:

• You will need to log into the youth’s account.

• If you do not have access to the youth's account, please contact ODFW Licensing at 503-947-6101, Option 2.

• Go to the “Controlled Hunts” section.

• If they have met the requirements, you will select the First Time Youth Button.

• The species that they have met the requirements for will be available to select in the drop down menu.

• Once you have chosen the species you will be provided a list of the eligible hunts.  Choose the one you want.

• Read and attest that you understand this is a one time per species opportunity and will no longer be eligible even if the tag is not purchased.

You can opt to wait to purchase the tag later if you wish.

If you select to purchase the tag now it will take you to the product catalog and the tag will be available to go through the purchase process.

If you think your youth is eligible but do not see the button, please contact ODFW Licensing at 503-947-6101, Option 2.

Youth-only hunts and seasons

Big game hunts

Elk
ODFW offers youth controlled elk hunts with longer seasons (Aug. 1-Dec. 31). To apply, hunters must:

• Be 12-17 years old at the time of the hunt.
• Have completed a hunter safety class by the time they hunt.
• Have a hunting license, if 12 or older.

The application deadline is May 15. For more information about the hunts available and how to apply, see this year’s Oregon Big Game Regulations.

Visit e-regulations

Deer
Youth hunters with an unfilled Western Oregon general season deer tag, an unfilled W. High Cascade (119A) may hunt the area of the Western Oregon general deer season the Saturday and Sunday after general rifle deer season ends. The bag limit is one buck with visible antler. This opportunity is not available to Mentored Youth Hunt Program participants as each youth hunter must have their own tag to participate. 

To apply for this program hunters must:

• Be 12-17 years old at the time of the hunt.
• Have completed a hunter safety class by the time they hunt.
• Have a hunting license, if 12 or older.

The application deadline is May 15. For more information about the hunts available and how to apply, see this year’s Oregon Big Game Regulations

Visit e-regulations

Game bird hunts

Youth pheasant hunts

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus safety and success. These hunts are held on private lands and state wildlife areas throughout the state each September. Participants in these hunts 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.

Dates and locations

The dates and locations of each year's hunts are posted by early July. You can register online or at a license sale agent. 

Find this year's hunts

Spring Youth Turkey Hunt

Every year on the weekend before the opening of the General Spring Turkey Season, hunters 17 years and younger will have the field to themselves for a youth-only turkey season. No special registration or application is required to participate in this hunt, but youth hunters 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, and a spring turkey tag.
• Not be hunting under the Mentored Youth Hunt Program. (Youth hunters must have their own tag to participate in the youth-only season, and not be hunting on an adult’s tag. They may hunt under the Mentored Youth program during the regular general spring turkey season.)

Waterfowl

Youth waterfowl hunts are held at several wildlife areas and federal refuges each fall/winter. In addition, there is a statewide waterfowl season in late September. To participate in these hunts, youth 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 a migratory HIP validation, and a permit for the hunt area, if required.
• A federal waterfowl stamp if 16 years or older.

For more information about the hunts available and how to make reservation, see this year’s Oregon Game Bird Regulations.

Visit e-regulations

Youth licenses

Youth license includes fishing, hunting, shellfish, and Columbia River Basin Endorsement.
Resident/nonresident $10

Youth Sports Pac includes a Combination fishing/hunting/shellfish license, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag; Spring Turkey Tag, General Cougar Tag, General or Controlled Bear Tag, General or Controlled Elk Tag, and General or Controlled Deer Tag ; and Validation for Upland Birds and Waterfowl (available after July 1).
Resident $55
Nonresident N/A

Deer, elk, and bear tags are not automatically issued at the time a Sports Pac License is issued. Hunters must remember to pick up deer, elk and bear tags by the day before the earliest hunt opens for deer, elk and controlled bear and by Sept. 30 for general bear.

Hunters age 17 and under must wear a hunter orange exterior garment (shirt, jacket, coat, vest, or sweater) or hat when hunting game mammals or upland birds (except turkey) with any firearm. The exterior garment or hat must have hunter orange visible in all directions (360 degrees).

Hunter Education

Youth 17 and younger must pass a hunter education course before hunting in Oregon, unless enrolled in the Mentored Youth Program. Students have two options: an online course or in-person attendance at a class taught through ODFW’s statewide network of 600 volunteer instructors. Online and independent study students must pass a field day with a hunter education instructor before being certified.

Learn more about taking a Hunter Education class.