Youth pheasant hunts

Why consider a Youth Pheasant Hunt

ODFW releases pheasants to give young hunters a taste of an actual hunt. Over the last 10 years, these free youth hunts have hosted 7,212 participants who harvested 7,432 pheasants. Here are five reasons they're so popular:

• No adult competition. Youth hunts occur before the official pheasant season begins.
• Emphasis on safety and ethical hunting practices.
• Increased opportunity of success. ODFW releases pen-raised pheasants for each hunt because early success can help build positive lifetime hunting fundamentals.
• Available statewide. Variety of hunt locations with mixed habitats.
• Fee free!

How they work

Each Youth Pheasant Hunt is a bit different depending on location. Almost all hunts take place at ODFW wildlife areas, though a few are on private land. At a minimum, all hunts offer a place to hunt and a chance to harvest planted pheasants.

• Some hunts require advanced sign-up and some are first come, first served. The total number of participants and the hunt hours may also vary by location.
• Some offer a just a location and planted birds for young hunters to go out with family or friends. Great for kids who have an experienced hunter to mentor them during the hunt.
• Other hunts include safety presentations, shotgun shooting practice and/or efforts to connect young hunters with mentors and trained dogs. These are good choices for kids whose parents don’t hunt, and who don’t have a hunting mentor.

Find the right hunt for you

Part of selecting a hunt will depend on your location and what hunts are nearby. Once you select a hunt, contact the hunt coordinator for more details. In addition, indicate if you have a disability or hunting request, such as:‌

• Borrowing a shotgun and safety gear.
• Connecting with a hunting mentor.
• Sign up to hunt with a trained hunting dog.
• Address mobility issues or other special needs.

Our hunt coordinators will try to work with you  to create a successful hunt for you.

In order to participate

To participate in Youth Pheasant Hunts, you MUST:

• Be 17 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card (temporary/permanent).
• 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.
• Use only federally approved non-toxic shot.

2024 Youth Upland Game Bird Hunts

How to sign up

Reservations are required, except at Fern Ridge and Klamath wildlife areas.

• Hunters can sign up for just one day. However, kids without reservations or who want to hunt a second day may be able to hunt on a standby basis.
• Make reservations online, *unless indicated in location description below.
• Registration is free, and the last day to register is the Thursday before the hunt.

Open hunt areas and regulations

CHARLESTON Coquille Valley Wildlife Area – Sept. 28 & 29

• Max # of hunters: 20.
• Reservations required online.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Call 541-888-5515 for more information.

CENTRAL POINT Denman Wildlife Area – Sept. 14 & 15

• Max # of hunters: 90.
• Reservations required online; standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite from 8am -5pm
• Call 541-826-8774 for more information.

EUGENE Fern Ridge Wildlife Area – Sept. 7 & 8

• Max # of hunters: 75 hunters.
• No advanced registration required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at the Ken Nielson Rd. parking lot.
• East and West Coyote and Fisher Butte units will be open to hunting.
• Call 541-935-2591 for more information.

PRAIRIE CITY (private land in John Day Valley) – Sept. 14 & 15

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required online.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• The hunt will take place on private lands in the John Day Valley.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite from 8am - 3pm.
• Call 541-575-1167 for more information.

KLAMATH FALLS Klamath Wildlife Area – Sept. 14 & 15

• Max # of hunters: 80.
• No advanced registration required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in located 1/4 West of Hwy 97 on the North side of Miller Island Rd
• Call 541-883-5732 for more information.

LA GRANDE Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area – Sept. 14 & 15

• Max # of hunters: 35.
• Reservations required online; standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in starts at Ladd Marsh Headquarters, 59116 Pierce Rd.
• Only a designated portion of the area will be open.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am - 5pm.
• Call 541-963-4954 for more information.

MADRAS (Private Lands in Central Oregon) - Sept. 14 & 15‌

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• This hunt is on private land. Check-in is at Rocker 3 Ranch, 10 NE Juniper Ln. Madras, Oregon 97741
• Call 541-447-5111 for more information.

MONMOUTH E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area – Sept. 28 & 29

• Max # of hunters: 75.
• *Call or Email directly to register prior to event (541-745-5334) – shawn.k.woods@odfw.oregon.gov.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Only a designated portion of the area will be open.
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am - 4pm.
• For more information 541-745-5334

Youth have an opportunity to hunt in a variety of habitats.‌

PENDLETON Irrigon Wildlife Area – Sept. 21

• Max # of hunters: 30.
• Reservations required online; standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at parking lot at milepost 177.5 on Hwy 730 between Umatilla and Irrigon
• For more information: 541-276-2344.

PORTLAND Sauvie Island Wildlife Area – Sept. 14 & 15

• Max # of hunters: 50.
• Reservations required online; standby hunters welcome!
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• Check-in at the intersection of NW Reeder & NW Rentenaar Rd
• YOUTH Shotgun Skills Clinic onsite 8am -5pm.
• For more information: 503-621-3488

TYGH VALLEY White River Wildlife Area - Sept 16 & 17

• Maximum # hunters: 20 per day.
• Reservations required.
• Bring your own shotgun.
• Only federally-approved nontoxic shot allowed.
• For more information: call 541-544-2126.

Online registration