Youth Upland Bird Hunts

How to hunt game birds

Where to hunt game birds

Youth game bird hunt opportunities give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus on safety and success.

pheasants being released into grassy field — ODFW releases pheasants to increase a young hunter's chances for success.

Why consider a Youth Game Bird Hunt

Here are five reasons they're so popular:

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

A young pheasant hunter with a dpg — Some hunts offer the chance to work with a trained hunting dog.

How they work

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

Some hunts require advanced registration, and other hunts are set as first come, first served. The total number of participants and the hunt hours may also vary by location.
Great for kids to learn from an experienced adult hunter to mentor them during the hunt.
Other hunts include safety presentations, shotgun shooting practice, Hunter Safety Field Day prior to the hunt and/or efforts to connect young hunters with mentors and trained dogs.
These hunt opportunities are a great way for kids whose parents don't hunt, and who don't have a hunting mentor to learn skills for success.

A young hunter walks in a grassy field with an adult mentor nearby — Youth can hunt with their parents, or a hunting mentor.

Find the right hunt for you

Selecting a hunt will depend on what works best for you by choosing a location, date and time that fits with your schedule. Once you select a hunt, register if required, and contact the hunt coordinator with questions for more details if needed. In addition, please indicate if you have mobility challenges or a specific 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 disability.
Our hunt coordinators will try to work with you to create a successful hunting opportunity.

Brown dog in grassing field running toward camera with pheasant in mouth — Some young hunters may have a chance to see a trained hunting dog in action.

Requirements to participate

To participate in Youth Pheasant Hunts, you MUST:

Be age 17 or younger and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old. Youth can hunt with their parents, or a hunting mentor.
Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
Have a valid hunting license, if 12 or older, with an upland game bird validation, and a permit for the hunt area (if required at the location).
Wear a blaze orange hat, a hunting vest, and shooting glasses or other eye protection. Adults accompanying you must also wear these same items.
Use only federally approved non-toxic shot.

2025 Youth Upland Game Bird Hunts

Date	Location		Time	Max # hunters	Phone
Sept 27-28	Coquille Valley Wildlife Area, Coos County	Registration required online. Bring your own shotgun. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	Check-in 30 min prior to registered hunt; 4 (two-hour) hunts per day between 8 am – 5 pm	20 per day; 5 per hunt	(541) 888-5515
Sept 20-21	Denman Wildlife Area, Jackson County	Registration required online. Bring your own shotgun. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	7 am check-in, 8am - 5pm hunt each day	85	(541) 826-8774
Sept 27-28	EE Wilson Wildlife Area, Benton County	To register, email: Shawn.K.WOODS@odfw.oregon.gov Only a designated portion of the area will be open. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	8 am – 4 pm hunt each day	70	(541) 745-5334
Sept. 6-7	Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Lane County	No Registration required. East and West Coyote and Fisher Butte units open to hunting. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	7 am check-in, 8 am – 5 pm hunt each day	75	(541) 935-2591
Sept. 20 only	Irrigon Wildlife Area, Morrow County	Registration required online. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	Hunt 1: 7:30 check-in, 8 am – 12 pm hunt Hunt 2: 12:30 check-in, 1 pm - 5 pm hunt	15 per hunt	(541) 276-2344
Sept. 13-14	John Day Area - Private Lands, Grant County	Registration required online. The hunt will take place on private land in the John Day Valley. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	8 am - 3 pm hunt each day	30	(541) 575-1167
Sept 20-21	Klamath Wildlife Area, Klamath County	No Registration required. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	7 am check-in, 8 am – 5 pm hunt each day	80	(541) 883-5732
Oct 25	Miller Island Unit, Klamath County	No Registration required. Unit will be open to youth hunters only.	First-come basis	Limited	(541) 883-5732
Sept 13-14	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, Union County	No Registration required. Hunters check-in at Ladd Marsh Headquarters, 59116 Pierce Rd. Only a designated portion of the area will be open. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	Check-in station opens at 7:00 am; 8 am – 5 pm hunt each day	35	(541) 963-4954
Sept 13-14	Rimrock Springs Wildlife Area, Central Oregon – Prineville & Madras	Registration required online. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	Check-in 30 min prior to registered hunt; 7 (one-hour) hunts per day 8 am – 2 pm	21 per day; 3 per hunt	(541) 447-5111
Sept 20-21	Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, Multnomah County	Registration required online. Hunting will occur only on Eastside hunt units and entry to this area without a valid youth hunt permit is prohibited on hunt days. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	7am check-in, 8 am - 5pm hunt each day	50	(503) 621-3488 opt 2
Sept 13-14	White River Wildlife Area, Tygh Valley, Wasco County	Registration required online. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	7 am check-in, 8 am – 1 pm hunt each day	20 per day	(541) 296-4628‌
Oct 25-26	Youth Chukar Hunt – Lower Klamath Hills regulated hunt area	By reservation only – Limited; Contact Klamath Chapter OHA The bag limit is 2 chukar. Mentored youth hunter program will apply to this hunt; it is within season dates. Only federally approved nontoxic shot allowed.	See page 26-27 of the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for details and contact information.	Limited	(541) 883-8326

Two young hunters with a dog walk in grassy field away from camers — Youth have an opportunity to hunt in a variety of habitats.

How to register

Reservations are required, except at Fern Ridge, Klamath, Ladd Marsh wildlife areas and Miller Island unit.

Hunters can sign up for just one hunt. However, kids without reservations or who want to hunt a second day may be able to hunt on a standby basis, confirm with the event coordinator prior to hunt day.
Register online.
Registration is free, and the last day to register is the Wednesday before the hunt.