Youth waterfowl hunt set for Sept. 18; sign-up is required before Monday

Young hunters will get their first stab at duck hunting in a couple of weeks, when they meet up with officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

As part of an ongoing effort to introduce young people to hunting, DEC officers and the Federated Sportsman's Clubs of Jefferson County will sponsor a youth waterfowl hunt for children ages 12 to 15.

The Sept. 18 hunt will be the second of three youth hunts with DEC officers. In April, officers accompanied children on a turkey hunt. DEC spokesman Stephen W. Litwhiler said positive feedback led to a third youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt for later in September.

The youth hunting events allow children to get out before adult hunters.

The children will be selected on Monday, and on Sept. 11 the junior hunters will meet their DEC partners at the Watertown Sportsman's Club. They will learn rules of waterfowl hunting, how to identify species and practice shooting. On Sept. 18, the teams will go out to hunt.

To be selected for the youth hunt, applicants must sign up before Monday at the customer service desk at Gander Mountain or at Dick's Sporting Goods, Tri-Ponds Taxidermy, the Watertown Sportsman's Club or the Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility on Fort Drum.

A valid junior hunting license and education class is required.