Applications for September mentored waterfowl hunt due Aug. 12

Youth who want to experience waterfowl hunting for the first time can apply to be one of 65 participants in this year’s mentored youth waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Sept. 7. Application deadline is Monday, Aug. 12.

The hunts will be conducted at Hamden Slough near Detroit Lakes, the Morris Wildlife Production Area near Morris and on private lands in the Prior Lake, Windom and the Fergus Falls areas.

The hunts are coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club. Partners provide mentors and areas to hunt.

To participate, youth must be 12-15 years old and completed firearms safety training. A parent or guardian must accompany the youth during the orientation, education and field sessions that begin Friday, Sept. 6, and the Saturday hunt.

“The upcoming hunts are an excellent way for youth and parents to learn waterfowling skills in a supportive and high quality environment,” said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. “The intent of these hunts is to create skills, confidence, social connections and other understandings so that youth and their families will hunt on their own in the future.”    

Kurre said if the number of applications exceeds the number of available spaces, participants will be selected via lottery. Applying for hunts farther from the Twin Cities increases the likelihood of being selected.

The mentored youth waterfowl hunt occurs on Youth Waterfowl Day, a special day prior to the general waterfowl season than enables youth age 15 and younger to hunt waterfowl when accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
Visit www.mndnr.gov/discover for an application or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 for more information.