Take a Kid Chukar or Partridge Hunting

DWR Press Release

Youth partridge hunt happens Sept. 22–24

Three days of upland game hunting fun starts Sept. 22. That’s the first day of Utah’s three-day youth chukar and gray partridge hunt.

Those who were 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018 can participate in the hunt. If you qualify, but you haven’t completed the state’s Hunter Education course, you can still participate through Utah’s Trial Hunting program.

(The Trial Hunting program allows someone 21 years of age or older to take a person 12 to 17 years old hunting, even if the 12- to 17-year-old hasn’t completed a Hunter Education course. More information about the program is available at wildlife.utah.gov/trial.)

To increase the chance young hunters take a chukar, biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources will release chukars in selected areas before the youth hunt. Starting Sept. 11, you can see which areas will receive birds online.

Take a kid hunting

Jason Robinson, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says the Sept. 22–24 youth chukar and gray partridge hunt is a great way to introduce young people to upland game hunting. “The hunt will be the first time the birds have been hunted this fall,” he says, “so they won’t be quite as wary as they’ll be later in the season. Also, the birds tend to stay closer together and rely more on water in early fall. Finding a good water source can get you into plenty of birds.”

A big plus for the young hunter is a chance to get complete attention from an older hunter. “Unless you’re younger than 18,” he says, “you can’t hunt during the youth hunt. That allows you to give your undivided attention to the youth hunter you take.”

Robinson encourages you to take a kid hunting Sept. 22, 23 or 24. “The hunt provides a great way to pass the tradition of upland game hunting on to the next generation,” he says.

Shooting on Sept. 22 starts at 6:15 a.m. To participate in the hunt:

• If you’ve completed a Hunter Education course, you had to be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018. You must also have a current hunting license. If you’re under the age of 16, you must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you can hunt without adult supervision.
• If you haven’t completed a Hunter Education course, you had to be between 12 and 17 years of age on July 31. You must also have a current hunting license and be accompanied by someone 21 years of age or older. In addition, you must complete a brief online Trial Hunting Program Orientation course before Sept. 22. The orientation course is among the items available online.

Learn more

More information about the youth chukar and gray partridge hunts is available on page 13 of the 2018–2019 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook. The free guidebook is available online.