The Division of Wildlife Resources is excited to be hosting a Youth Pheasant Hunt at Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area on Saturday, October 28 at 9:00 am. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Conservation Outreach Manager, Brandon Behling to discuss the details about this upcoming hunt.
“What its going to be is we’re going to kind of have a division guided hunt for the youth. So all those kids that are new to the sport or have only be able to get out a few times, we’re inviting them to come out. If you’ve got dogs that you want to bring with, that’s more than fine. We just ask that your dog be well behaved and follows commands because we will have quite a few people there. We’re going to divide up into different groups, and spread out on the WMA and go and get some pheasants,” said Behling. Desert Lake is about three miles out from the town of Elmo toward the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry.
Youth participants must be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2023. Hunters must register in advance to attend and everyone going a field must wear hunter orange on their head and body. Participants are expected to bring their own firearms, ammunition and safety equipment. “One thing I do need to mention about Desert Lake though is it is a Waterfowl Management Area, so non-lead, non-toxic, shot is required. So if you have steel shot you will need to bring that or other non-toxic shots,” said Behling. Youth hunters must verify they have completed hunter education or have a trial hunting program number, and have a valid hunting or combination license.
The Division of Wildlife Resources looks forward to putting on this hunt for the youth in the area. “Here in our office, here in Price, we got a lot of folks that are passionate about pheasant hunting and upland game hunting, and we just want to share that passion with the youth in the area. So we’ll take you through the basics, kind of walk you through it, what the fields with you, and help those that you know maybe just need a little bit more confidence or exposure to gain that and fall in love with it like we have,” said Behling.
The hunt is limited to 15 youth hunters. To register for the event please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/ or for further questions about the Youth Pheasant Hunt please call DWR Regional Office at (435) 613-3700.