Hunters who are 15 years of age and younger can participate in special chukar and pheasant hunts this fall.

These special youth hunts have been held in Utah for years. They’re a great way to introduce young people to upland game hunting.

“Kids really enjoy these hunts,” says Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “They don’t have to compete with older hunters for a bird.”

Getting qualified for one of the hunts is easy. If you’re 15 years of age or younger, and you’ve completed Utah’s Hunter Education course, all you have to do is complete an application and write a one-paragraph essay. The subject of your essay can be “I want to continue the Utah upland game hunting tradition because… ” or, “I would like to start my own upland game hunting tradition because…”

To be considered for one of the youth chukar hunts, the DWR must receive your application and essay no later than Aug. 22. Applications and essays for the youth pheasant hunts are due by Sept. 5.

Applying at www.wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame is the best and easiest way to apply, but you can also apply with a paper application. Paper applications are available at DWR offices and hunter education centers, and on page 10 of the 2008-09 Utah Upland Game Guidebook.

The youth chukar hunts will be held Sept. 6 on five state wildlife management areas (WMAs). The youth pheasant hunts will be held Nov. 8 on four state WMAs and one Walk-In Access area.

“We’re holding these hunts across Utah,” Olsen says. “A hunt should be happening not more than about two hours away from your home.”

The WMAs and the Walk-In Access area will be closed to all other hunters on the day the youth hunts are held.

“The number of young people who hunt in Utah has been declining for years,” Olsen says. “We’re hoping these youth hunts will help reverse that trend by getting young people into the field and letting them experience what it’s like to take an upland game bird. The hunts also give us a chance to teach young people how to be responsible and ethical hunters.”

For more information about the hunts, call the nearest DWR office or see pages 8 and 9 of the 2008-09 Utah Upland Game Guidebook.