Date: 9/07/10
Contact: Martin Olson
Phone: (702) 486-5127

NDOW OFFERS YOUTH HUNTS FOR UPLAND GAME

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is holding an upland game hunting season just for youth. The special season spans only two days, Sept. 25-26, and is open to hunters 15 years of age or younger. This early hunt provides youngsters a chance to harvest rabbits, California, Gamble’s and Scaled quail, and Chucker or Hungarian partridge before the general season opens in October.

Youth hunters 12 to15 years of age, who previously have been licensed to hunt, are required to possess a junior hunting license with an upland game bird stamp in order to hunt upland game birds. They also must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age. Successful completion of an official Hunter Education course is required before anyone born after Jan. 1, 1960 can purchase their hunting license.

Those youth who are new to the hunting sports, and have not previously held a hunting license, can participate in the youth and general upland game hunts without first completing the Hunter Education requirement. They can do so by obtaining one of Nevada’s new Apprentice Hunter Licenses, which allows the license holder to hunt only upland game and waterfowl for one hunting season without taking Hunter Education. An apprentice hunter must be accompanied and closely supervised at all times by a mentor who is 18 years of age or older and holds a valid Nevada Hunting license. The mentor must be willing to assume legal responsibility for the apprentice hunter.

After one season those apprentice hunters who want to continue hunting must successfully complete their Hunter Education course requirement - which in Nevada applies to anyone born after January 1, 1960 - before purchasing another hunting license. Hunter education classes are available year round. More information about the classes is available online at www.ndow.org.

The apprentice license itself is free, but purchasers must pay the mandatory habitat conservation and license agent fees ($4) and purchase any applicable stamps such as the upland game bird stamp ($10) or state and federal waterfowl stamps ($10 & $16). The new Apprentice License is currently only available at NDOW regional offices statewide, but will be offered online in the future. For more information call (775) 688-1553 or go to www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.