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). 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 by signing a form.
• 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.

Register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online or at any license sales agent where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. 

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

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. A youth is not eligible to participate in the mentored youth hunting program if the youth possesses their own valid hunting license and/or tag(s) valid for the dates, area and species being hunted. 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 will be required to fill out a form supplied by the department’s License Services Section that clearly states what species the mentored youth wants their mentored youth preference points moved to. 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.

Mentored Youth Preference Point Redemption Form (pdf)

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).

Assurances

The Oregon Outdoor Skills Program is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and offers all persons the opportunity to participate in programs and activities regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. No individual will be turned away from or otherwise be denied access to or benefit from, any program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: Chief, Public Civil Rights Division, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.