Pennsylvania's (and Bull Creek's) Junior Pheasant Hunts Beginning To Fill

Now is the time to register Hunter-Trapper Education graduates for organized hunts.

Only 10 spots remain at this writing for Bull Creek's event Oct 11th

         

Junior hunters who want to take part in a special pheasant hunt just for them need to make their reservations now, while spots remain open.

          Information on Junior Pheasant Hunt events statewide is available at the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website, www.pgc.state.pa.us, and those looking to participate in an upcoming hunt can register online.

          Time is of the essence, however. The events are starting to fill, and some already have waiting lists.

          Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said Junior Pheasant Hunts are action-packed and provide a great opportunity to give youngsters a taste of hunting excitement and success. 

          "If you're starting out a new hunter and you're looking for a way to show them how much fun hunting can be, it really doesn't get any better than this," Hough said. "But it's an opportunity that could pass you by if you don't take the time to register soon."

          Junior Pheasant Hunts are events for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 16 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. 11 to Saturday, Oct. 18.

          Junior Pheasant Hunts all are held on lands open to public hunting, and the Game Commission is providing about 3,000 pheasants to be split among 28 conservation groups 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 by an adult 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. In some of the state's wildlife management units, only cock pheasants may be harvested. 

          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). The registration deadline for most events is Sept. 17. 

          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 for 30 juniors on Oct. 11. Register online athttp://www.register-ed.com/events/view/50328. The deadline to register is Sept. 17 or first come first served.  You do not need to be a member of Bull Creek.