Junior Pheasant Hunts Offer Choice

Two dates on this year’s schedule, but registration deadline is nearing.

Junior hunters this fall will get two shots at taking part in a special pheasant hunt just for them.

In an effort to better accommodate the busy schedules families often have, the Pennsylvania Game Commission this year is allowing the sportsmen’s clubs that host Junior Pheasant Hunts some leeway in planning their events.

In previous years, all Junior Pheasant Hunt events statewide were held on the same Saturday. But this year, clubs are permitted to host events on either Saturday in the junior pheasant season.

And some clubs have responded by scheduling two events – one each on Oct. 12 and Oct. 19.

“We’re glad to see clubs stepping up to meet the growing interest our junior hunters have demonstrated,” Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe said.

Junior Pheasant Hunts are events for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 16 years old who have successfully completed a Hunter-Trapper Education course. The events are held on Saturdays during the one-week junior pheasant season, which this year runs from Saturday, Oct. 12 to Saturday, Oct. 19.

Junior Pheasant Hunts all are held on lands open to public hunting, and the Game Commission provides clubs with about 3,000 pheasants to stock for the hunts. The commission stocks another 15,000 pheasants statewide ahead of the junior season, and this year plans to release more than 200,000 pheasants across Pennsylvania.

Youngsters taking part in a Junior Pheasant Hunt event are not required to purchase a license, but they must wear the necessary amount of fluorescent orange and be accompanied as required by law.

  Juniors who register to hunt in a special event, or who otherwise hunt pheasants in the junior season, must adhere to Pennsylvania’s long-standing daily bag limit of two pheasants and may only harvest cock pheasants in select wildlife management units.

Roe urged youngsters interested in taking part in a Junior Pheasant Hunt to register soon. Space is limited for most events, and the registration deadline is Sept. 25. 

“Ask anyone who has been involved in our Junior Pheasant Hunts and they’ll tell you there’s really not a better opportunity out there for young hunters to get a taste of excitement and success afield,” Roe said. “Don’t wait until it’s too late to sign up.”

Those looking to register for events, can click on the Junior Pheasant Hunt button on the home page of the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). Registration can be completed online.

Information on Junior Pheasant Hunts also can be found by scrolling the cursor over “Education” in the menu bar at the top of the home page, then following this sequence: Click on  “Go Hunting and Shooting,” then “Youth Programs,” then “Junior Pheasant Hunt  Program.”

A county-by-county list of events follows:

Allegheny County:

Bullcreek Rod and Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club near Tarentum for 30 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35345.

Armstrong County:

Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen’s Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club for 30 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34502.

Beaver County:

Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League will host two junior pheasant hunts for 24 juniors each – one at State Game Lands 173 on Oct. 12, and one at Raccoon Creek State Park on Oct. 19. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35518 for the hunt Oct. 12, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35519 for the hunt Oct. 19. Deadline to register is Sept. 25

Bedford County:

Bedford County Sportsmen’s Club will host two junior pheasant hunts in Bedford on Oct. 12 and 19.  Fifty juniors will be accepted for each hunt. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34979 for the hunt on Oct. 12^, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34981 for the hunt on Oct. 19. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Contact Chad or Kelly Kendall at 814-847-2558 or email ckkendall@embarqmail.com after registering to verify hunt times.

Bedford-Fulton Pheasants Forever Chapter  No. 741 will host its junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 97 on Oct. 12.  Up to 30 juniors can participate and the deadline to register is Sept. 25.  Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35510.

Southern Cove Rod & Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in New Enterprise for 50 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.  Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34795.

Blair County:

Smokey Run Rod & Gun Club, Martinsburg Sportsman Club, Henrietta Sportsman Club, and Loop Sportsman Club will host a junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 147 for 25 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.  Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/33480. 

Centre County:

3 Point Sportsmen Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in Sproul State Forest, reclaim strip mine land, Clarence, for 60 juniors on October 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35543. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Clearfield County:

Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited will host its junior pheasant hunt at the All Seasons Trap & Skeet Club near Luthersburg for 25 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35053. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Columbia County:

Central Susquehanna Pheasants Forever will host its junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 226 near Millville for 15 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35797. The deadline to register is Sept. 10.

Crawford County:

Black Ash Sportsman Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club for 20 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35508. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Erie County:

Pheasants Forever of Northwest PA will host two junior pheasant hunts on Millers Farm, Riley Siding Road, Union City for 25 juniors each hunt. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34572 for the hunt Oct. 12, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34573 for the hunt Oct. 19. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. 

Elk County:

North Central PA Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 will host two junior pheasant hunts on State Game Lands 44, Sawmut Tract in Brockport for 65 juniors each hunt. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/33996 for the hunt Oct. 12^, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/33997 for the hunt Oct. 19. The deadline to register is Sept. 14.

Franklin County:

Cumberland Valley Chapter Pheasants Forever will hold its junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 124, Mercersburg for 40 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35347 for the hunt from 7 a.m. to noon, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35504 for the hunt from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.

                                   

Lancaster County:

Lititz Sportsmen’s Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at Speedwell Forge Lake near Lititz for 25 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Register online at https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34006.

Lexington Rod & Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at Speedwell Forge Lake near Lititz for 20 juniors on Oct. 19. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35512.

Luzerne County:

Northeast PA Chapter of Pheasants Forever Chapter 803 will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 119 near Bear Creek for 45 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/33028.  The deadline to register is Sept. 25. 

United Sportsmens Camp 271 will host its junior pheasant hunt near Shickshinny for 30 juniors on Oct. 19.  Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35059.  The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Warren County:

Kalbfus Rod and Gun Club will hold its junior pheasant hunt at the Hibner property near Sugar Grove for 25 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/35515. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Corry Rod & Gun Club will host two junior pheasant hunts in Tidioute for 20 juniors each hunt. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34495 for the hunt Oct. 12, or http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34496 for the hunt Oct. 19. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Washington County:

McDonald Sportsmen will host its junior pheasant hunt in McDonald for 50 juniors on Oct. 12. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34840.

Westmoreland County:

Law Enforcement Officers of Westmoreland County will host its junior pheasant hunt at Mammoth Park, Norvelt for 50 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34930. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

Rostraver Sportsmen & Conservation Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club in Belle Vernon for 30 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34505. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

York County:

Starview Sportsmen’s Association will host its junior pheasant hunt on State Game Lands 243 in Franklintown for 12 juniors on Oct. 12. Register online at http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/34842. The deadline to register is Sept. 25.

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