RIDGEFIELD – Youth in Clark County will once again have the special opportunity to hunt pheasants this month thanks to an ongoing partnership between the Vancouver Wildlife League (VWL) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
On Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15, volunteers from VWL, with support from WDFW’s hunter education program, will host their annual youth pheasant hunt. The event will be held at two locations on WDFW’s Shillapoo Wildlife Area near Vancouver:
- On LaFrambois Road near the Vancouver Lake boat launch site on the Vancouver Lake Unit.
- On Lower River Road, past Frenchman’s Bar, near Caterpillar Island on the Shillapoo South Unit.
Advance registration is not required. Youth up to 15 can sign up for the day’s hunt by arriving at either location between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. A firearms safety discussion will take place before hunters head into the field, with hunting allowed only after 8 a.m. each day. Youth hunters without dogs will be paired with VWL volunteers who have hunting dogs. VWL will provide a lunch for all youth hunters.
Hunters must abide by the following rules to participate in the hunt:
- Hunters must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange or hunter pink.
- Non-toxic shot is required.
- Youth hunters must possess a Western Washington pheasant hunting license ($40.50). A small game license is not required.
- Hunting is allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
- The bag limit is two pheasants of either sex per day.
Eye and ear protection are always recommended while hunting or shooting.
Pheasants for the hunt are raised by WDFW at the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia and released by VWL volunteers at various locations within the hunting areas. An experienced adult volunteer and, if necessary, a hunting dog will accompany all participants on the hunt. Youth hunters can continue to hunt when the general season for pheasant opens.
In Washington, Sept. 14 and 15 are statewide youth-only hunting dates for pheasant and quail. Youth hunters are defined as those under 16 years old with a valid youth hunting license. More information about youth only and youth mentor hunts is available online and on page 14 of the Game Bird and Small Game Regulations pamphlet.
Information on Hunter Education requirements can be found on WDFW’s Hunter Education webpage. For tips on pheasant hunting, visit the pheasant hunting webpage.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.