The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 13th annual Jefferson County Youth Hunt will be held next month, providing an exciting opportunity for junior hunters to learn from expert Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs). The hunting program coincides with the waterfowl and pheasant youth hunting weekends, and participating junior hunters ages 12 through 15 will have the opportunity to hunt pheasants and waterfowl with the ECOs. The Youth Hunt program is a three-day event with an educational day at the Sackets Harbor Sportsman's Club beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10; a waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Sept. 17; and a pheasant hunt on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Interested youth hunters must possess a New York State small game license and register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). The event is free to participants and equipment is provided if needed.

The youth hunt is hosted by the Sackets Harbor Sportsman's Club and sponsored by the Northern New York Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the New York Conservation Officers Association.

Signup sheets are available at:

• Sackets Harbor Sportsman's Club, 17500 County Route 66 (Salt Point Road);
• Akins Archery, 25834 NY-12, Watertown;
• VanTassel's Gunsmithing, 30412 NY-37, Evans Mills;
• Caliber Plus, 13697 Co Rt 90, Mannsville; and
• by contacting ECO Steve Bartoszewski at 315-489-6984 or by email at bartoszewski@dec.ny.gov.

Youth interested in participating need to sign up prior to Sept. 5, 2022.

Note: Photo attached of DEC ECO Pete Jackson with a past youth hunt participant. Courtesy of NYSDEC