Turkey Hunting Clinic for Kids Age 8-17: April 6 in Tygh Valley, Oregon
OutdoorHub 03.01.13
Sign up now for a turkey hunting clinic to be held on Saturday, April 6 from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at White River Wildlife Area in Tygh Valley. The clinic is open to youth age 8 to 17. Space is limited and registration closes March 22.
The clinic is being hosted by the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) and ODFW Outdoors.
To register, complete the form available at the OHA Mid-Columbia website documents page (http://ohamidcolumbia.webs.com/apps/documents/). Mail it to the address on the form. The cost is $10 for youth participants and includes lunch. For additional information, contact Fred or Renee at (541) 296-6124.
Attendees will learn turkey calling, how to pattern a shotgun and establish an effective shooting range, and other hunting techniques. Experienced turkey hunters leading the clinic will also discuss turkey identification, behavior, scouting techniques, sign identification and how to locate turkeys in the woods.
Participants may camp on designated parts of the wildlife area; contact manager Josh Moulton (541-544-2126) for more information. Parking permits are also required at the wildlife area. These permits are included with the purchase of a hunting license.
Those who haven’t purchased a 2013 hunting license should buy a parking permit online or at a license sales agent before the event. (Permits are not available for sale at the wildlife area.) Daily parking permits are $7; annual parking permits are $22. Permits are good for parking at all of ODFW’s wildlife areas.
April 7 Field Day
OHA and ODFW will also host a Field Day on Sunday, April 7 for youth to get certified in hunter safety education in time for spring turkey season. Field Days are for students that have completed their independent study class (online or by workbook) before April 7.
Unlike the April 6 workshop, students must sign up for the April 7 field day online at ODFW’s license sales page or at a license sales agent. The cost is $10. Complete directions on how to sign up for field days are available at ODFW’s Hunter Education website.
Hunter education is mandatory for all hunters under the age of 18 and recommended for any new hunter. The course covers topics like firearms safety, hunter ethics, wildlife identification, hunt preparation and techniques and outdoor survival. The program certifies about 6,000 new hunters each year. Classes and field days are taught by ODFW’s network of volunteer hunter education instructors.
In 2011, more than 14,000 people went turkey hunting in Oregon. The six-week general season runs April 15-May 31. Tips on turkey hunting are available onODFW’s website.
