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• OSMB - Randy Henry (503) 373-1405 ext. 247
• ODFW - Anne Presentin (503) 872-5264 ext 5356

Youth Waterfowl Weekend: Be Safe on Land, Water

This Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23, is Youth Waterfowl Weekend in Oregon. It's a weekend younger hunters can call their own - a time when youths 15 and younger, under the watchful eye of a non-hunting adult, will venture out in search of ducks.

"This weekend is for youths. The hunt revolves around them," says Tony Burtt, Hunter Education Coordinator for the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. "Adults accompany them, teach them, mentor them and help them be successful. It's a unique event, but we're asking adults to be especially mindful of safety, especially with some of the low water issues we have this year."

Paul Donheffner, director of the Oregon State Marine Board concurs. "This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with a younger hunter and help them be safe and successful," said Donheffner. "That means more than just firearm safety. It also means water safety. Waterfowl hunters face more risks from boating than from hunting, so teaching youths to be safe on the water is a critical lesson."

On the land, Burtt offers the following advice.

• When moving around in your car, boat or on the trail, make sure the firearm is unloaded and the action is open.
• Make sure you known where other people are in relation to the muzzle at all times.

On water, Donheffner advises the following precautions.

• Youths 12 and younger must wear a life jacket when in a boat. Donheffner advises all people in the boat to wear the life jacket, especially if wearing clothing loaded down with hunting equipment and ammunition.
• Watch for low water hazards. Many rivers are extremely low, with seen and un-seen hazards threatening boaters. Travel very slowly and be extremely cautious of submerged stumps, logs, rocks and sandbars that could capsize or damage your craft.
• If departing before sunrise, use navigation lights so your boat is visible to other boaters. Again, with the low water, make sure you're familiar with the water before venturing out in limited visibility.

"Even if you're just wading in a marsh or river to get to a duck blind, consider wearing a life jacket," said Donheffner. "You may step into a channel or a hole. A life jacket really could save your life."

During the youth hunt, all license requirements, season and bag limits apply. This weekend, legal birds include ducks, mergansers, coots and - in much of the state - geese. (Goose hunting is closed in Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Benton, Linn, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Clackamas, Washington, Multnomah and Columbia counties.) Each hunter must have a Hunter Education Certificate, HIP validation, any applicable wildlife area permits, and if 14 years or older, a valid hunting license and state waterfowl validation. Hunters 16 and older may not hunt waterfowl this weekend. For information on Youth Waterfowl Weekend activities and regulations, consult the 2001 Oregon Game Bird Regulations, available at sporting good agents throughout Oregon.

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