Youth pheasant hunting season in Idaho begins on October 8 and runs through October 14, offering a dedicated window for younger hunters to participate before the general season opens statewide.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has established specific eligibility requirements for the youth hunt. Participants must be 17 years of age or younger and possess a valid Idaho hunting license. Individuals who are 18 years old or older are prohibited from hunting during this seven-day period, ensuring the opportunity remains exclusive to youth.
Licensing and Supervision Requirements
The department provides pathways for first-time hunters who may not yet have completed hunter education or obtained a license. Through Idaho’s Hunting Passport Program, these individuals can participate provided they are accompanied by an adult holding a valid Idaho hunting license.
Additional supervision rules apply to younger residents. Resident youth hunters under the age of 12 who hold a junior license must also be accompanied by an adult with a valid hunting license. These measures ensure that inexperienced hunters have proper oversight while in the field.
Safety and Equipment Rules
Safety regulations for the youth hunt are outlined on pages 11 through 13 of the 2026-2027 Idaho Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet. A key requirement involves visibility. Hunters in stocked areas must wear at least 36 square inches of visible hunter orange above the waist. Wearing a hunter orange hat typically satisfies this visibility mandate.
Youth hunters participating in stocked areas are exempt from needing an Upland Game Bird Permit. This exemption simplifies access for young participants targeting birds released by the department.
Stocking Locations and Schedule
The Fish and Game department plans to release nearly 29,000 pheasants across the state in 2026. There are 24 designated pheasant stocking locations, with two to five sites per region. Most of these locations will be stocked specifically for the youth hunt.
Hunting hours vary by region. At most locations, hunting begins at 10 a.m. daily. However, in the Clearwater Region, the season starts earlier, at 8 a.m. each day. Hunters can find detailed information on stocking locations and bird counts on the Pheasant Stocking Program webpage.
General Season Follows
The youth season serves as a precursor to the general pheasant hunting season, which opens for all ages on October 15 statewide. Nonresident hunters face a five-day delay in participating during the general season, a restriction that does not apply to the youth hunt.
A map detailing pheasant zones is available on page 11 of the 2026-2027 Idaho Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet. Hunters are encouraged to review these materials to understand zone boundaries and specific regulations before heading into the field.