Darke County

Youth Pheasant Hunt

Check List

Exclusively for kids ages 12 to 16 the day of the hunt

The forms below must be filled out in entirety and returned by the deadline in order to be accepted as a participant in the Youth Pheasant Hunt.

  1. Darke County Youth Hunt Application Form(including Waiver, and Medical Authorization Form)
  2. Be prepared to show a valid Ohio Hunting License, or comply with the apprentice hunter regulations
  3. 12ga. Or 20ga. Shotgun. shells will be provided.
  4. Appropriate clothing for weather conditions
  5. An orange safety/ hunting vest & cap/hat

Hunting Safety Guidelines

  • Always think “Safety First” it is the most important aspect of this hunt and every hunt.
  • ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR GUN IS POINTED. KEEP IT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
  • If you have a question about the safety of a shot, DON’T TAKE THE SHOT! You will have chances at other birds, but you do not have a chance to undo an unsafe shot.
  • All hunting participants must wear an orange vest. (An orange cap or hatis also recommended.)
  • Always know where the people and dogs in your hunting party are.
  • Your dog handler &hunting guide are in charge of your party. Listen carefully to them, and do as they instruct. DO NOT LOAD YOUR GUNS UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY YOUR DOG HANDLER/GUIDE. (Anyone who is not paying attention or following instructions will be removed from the hunt.)

Hunting Safety Guidelines Continued

  • NO ONE SHALL HAVE MORE THAN TWO SHELLS IN HIS OR HER GUN AT ANY TIME.
  • Remember you will be shooting over dogs. Make sure to allow the bird to rise high enough so that the dog will not be in the line of fire. If a bird does not rise, DON’T TAKE THE SHOT! There will be other shots.
  • Always identify your target before you shoot. We will be shooting only Ringneck Roosters. When a bird goes up, there is a lot of noise, a lot of excitement, and you feel that you have to shoot quickly. Your guides and mentors should help by shouting “Rooster” or “Hen”, and you really have more time than you think. Remember that it is illegal to shoot hens,so if you are not sure, DON’T TAKE THE SHOT!
  • Let the dog make the retrieve. While the dog is retrieving, hunting ceases,
  • DON’T SHOOT AT ANYTHING ON THE GROUND!
  • No horseplay will be tolerated while in the hunting field. (Hunting should be enjoyable/fun, but not at the expense of safety.)

ANYBODY WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW THE ABOVE GUIDELINES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE HUNT IMMEDIATELY!

Let’s have a great hunt and above all… “Keep it safe!”