Participants at an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” pheasant hunting clinic held in Central Point in September. ODFW’s outdoor skills clinics offer beginners the chance to try hunting, and the agency is planning several �” geared toward woman and youth mainly �” throughout January and February. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Outdoorsmen and women know it takes a hunter to make a hunter — often younger generations learn how to hunt from their parents.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can help, though; ODFW plans to offer a series of outdoor skills hunting clinics geared toward women and children throughout January and February.

Those participating in the clinics can learn about the basic skills and equipment needed for rabbit or pheasant hunting, hone their shooting skills and participate in a real hunting experience.

The pheasant hunting clinics received a boost when Chuck Cates, the owner of a private pheasant reserve near Monmouth, said he had too many birds and offered them up to ODFW. 

Mark Newell, ODFW outdoor skills coordinator, said the 32-person classes likely will have as many as 200 birds to work with in the group hunts.

“In the past, people have been very successful. They’re putting out a lot of birds,” said Newell.

ODFW is offering three clinics throughout the coming months:

• Small Game Clinic at EE Wilson Wildlife Area: This is a family event for anyone over the age of 12 on Jan. 24. The clinic will teach the basic skills necessary for rabbit hunting, such as clothing needs, safety and ethics.

The clinic includes skills practice and field hunting experience. Mary’s Peak Hound Club is co-hosting the event, with dogs and dog handlers available to participants.

The cost is $50 plus fees for one adult and child, with all lunch and equipment provided.

• Becoming and Outdoors Woman: This Feb. 21 pheasant-hunting clinic at Luckiamute Valley Pheasants, near Dallas, is geared toward women and includes a safety orientation, shotgun shooting practice and an actual hunt.

Cost is $40 plus fees, with lunch and all equipment provided. Participants must have a valid hunting license, upland game bird tag and an HIP validation or the on-site private hunting preserve license.

• Mentor Youth Hunter Program: A parent or any adult age 21 and over with a valid hunting license and tag can take a youth age 9 to 13 pheasant hunting at this Feb. 22 event at  Luckiamute Valley Pheasants. Under the rules of the Mentor Youth Hunting Program, the youth does not need to pass a hunter education course first.

Each adult/youth pair will hunt with a volunteer guide and an experienced hunting dog.

Cost is $40 plus license and fees per adult/youth pair.

Mentors must have a valid hunting license, upland game bird tag, and the free HIP validation or the on-site private hunting preserve license in their possession during the event. Both mentor and youth must register for the Mentored Youth Hunter program before taking part in the clinic.

• Beginning Feb. 1, ODFW will be accepting registrations for a free rabbit hunt for youths (age 17 and younger), Feb. 21 and 22 beginning at 8 a.m. at EE Wilson Wildlife Area.

Registration is open now for a rabbit hunt for people with disabilities on Feb. 7 beginning at 8 a.m. at the wildlife area.

Members of the Mary’s Peak Hound Club will provide experienced hunting dogs and dog handlers at both of these events. For more information or to sign up, call the wildlife area at (541) 745-5334. More information also is available on page 43 of the 2008-09 game bird regulations manual.

Newell said he expects these events to fill up quickly. For more information, contact Newell at (503) 947-6018 or visit the ODFW Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills.