New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) are offering youth ages 12 through 15 an opportunity to hunt waterfowl with an ECO this fall. This is the program’s 11th year. The annual youth waterfowl hunt is a two-day event with an educational day located at the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Sept.13, and a hunt day on Saturday, Sept.19.

WHAT: 11^th Annual Jefferson County Youth Waterfowl Hunt

WHERE: Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club, 17500 County Route 66 (Salt Point
Road), Sackets Harbor, NY

COST: Free for youth 12 to 15

Educational Day: Sunday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m.

Hunt Day:Saturday, Sept.19

Interested youth hunters must possess a New York State small game license and register with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.). The event is free to participants and all equipment provided if necessary. The event is hosted by the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club and sponsored by the Northern New York Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA).

Signup sheets are available at the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club, 17500 County Route 66 (Salt Point Rd); Akins Archery, 25834 NY-12, Watertown, VanTassel’s Gunsmithing, 30412 NY-37, Evans Mills or can contact ECO Steve Bartoszewski at 315-489-6984 or by email at steven.bartoszewski@dec.ny.gov. Youth interested in participating need to sign up prior to Sept. 8.

While enjoying outdoor spaces, please continue to PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL and follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/Department of Health guidelines for the preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19. Visit on.ny.gov/playsmartNY to learn more. The youth turkey hunt program will incorporate appropriate social distancing, masks, and other practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.