Mentored Youth Hunter Program

Youth Participation

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 of age (effective January 1, 2018). Youth must be 9 at the time of enrollment. At age 16, a youth is no longer eligible to participate in the mentored youth hunting program. 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 of age or older and who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area and species being hunted.
• Annual registration is required.
• Has in possession proof of registration.
• Reviews and acknowledges understanding of material on safe hunting practices provided by the department.
• 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 while the youth is in possession of any legal weapon for the hunt.

Supervising Hunter

The supervising hunter shall:

• Have a valid hunting license and tag(s) valid for the dates, area and species being hunted.
• Ensure that all Oregon hunting regulations are followed. The supervising hunter shall be responsible and accountable for all actions of the mentored youth hunter while engaged in hunting.
• Supervise only one mentored youth hunter at any given time while engaged in hunting.
• Review information on safe hunting practices provided by the department with the youth.

Both Oregon residents and non-residents can participate in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program.

Register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online (or after clicking the online link – go to Purchase from the Catalog, then the General tab) at any license sales agent where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. 

Safety

While engaged in mentored youth hunting activities:

• The supervising hunter shall maintain immediate control of the mentored youth hunter at all times while the mentored youth hunter is in possession of any legal weapon for the hunt.
• The supervising hunter shall not accompany more than one mentored youth hunter at any given time while engaged in hunting. 
• Only one legal weapon between the supervisor and youth is allowed while hunting.
• All hunters (including those participating in the mentored youth hunter program) ages 17 and under must wear a hunter orange upper garment or hat when hunting game mammals or upland birds (except turkey) with any firearm.
• It is strongly recommended that the supervising hunters wear blaze orange during hunting or related activities.

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.

Mentored Youth Preference Points

Youth participating in the mentored youth hunting program will receive one Mentored Youth Preference Point for each year the youth registers for the program. The mentored youth preference points will be “banked” and held in the licensing system with no expiration date.

To redeem banked points, the mentored youth can log onto the department's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and apply the points to their selected hunt series. Points must be used at one time and may not be split among species. Once Mentored Youth Preference Points are redeemed, they are converted to the Preference Point System and are subject to the Oregon Administrative Rules that govern preference points.‌

Once logged into ELS, select the View Preference Points link then select the Edit button next to the hunt series where you are applying points. In the upper right corner of the window is a link to Apply Mentor Points. Select that link and press Save to apply the points.‌

These programs are funded by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Wallop-Breaux).