COVID-19 information: Consistent with guidance provided by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the 2020 Youth Pheasant Hunt Program will include additional mandatory safety precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19, including wearing face coverings, social distancing, and not sharing equipment. Once registered, participants will receive an email with guidelines to follow during all Youth Pheasant Program activities, including shooting practice, pheasant seminar, and the mentored hunt. MassWildlife and the clubs running this program are committed to provide a safe and rewarding youth pheasant hunt experience that protects the health of all involved, including participants, instructors, volunteers, and guardians. Get more information about COVID-19 in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Youth Pheasant Hunt Program was developed by MassWildlife to provide an opportunity for Hunter Education graduates aged 12 to 17 to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt under the guidance of a safe, experienced adult hunter.
This program is more than just a day in the field pheasant hunting and is typically divided into 2 or 3 parts, as follows -
Pheasant Seminar: The seminar portion includes hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals and firearm safety, how to have a safe and fun hunt, and information on upland hunting basics.
Pheasant Hunt: Participants get to experience a real pheasant hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter on 1 of the 6 Saturdays prior to the regular pheasant season. This year, the pheasant hunting season starts on October 17, 2020.
Steps
Requirements to Participate in the Program:
- Be between the ages of 12 to 17.
- Have graduated from a Basic Hunter Education course (in any state) before the day of the hunt.
- Participants 15 to 17 years of age, who wish to use a shotgun, must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID).
Steps to Participate:
- Make sure you meet all the requirements above.
- Register for a Pheasant Seminar by completing the Participant Registration Form online by August 24, 2020.
- Complete the Pheasant Seminar you registered for.
- Have a great day hunting pheasants! Please note, all other regular pheasant hunting regulations apply including bag limits, hunting implements, hunter orange requirements, etc. Please review pheasant hunting regulations.
Participating clubs
A final list of 2020 participating clubs is not yet available. As a reference, clubs that participated in 2019 are listed here. All participants must complete this seminar before the day of the hunt. You do not need to be a member of the club to register or attend this training.
To register for the Youth Pheasant Hunt Program, choose a club from the list below. A final list of 2020 participating clubs is not yet available. As a reference, clubs that participated in 2019 are listed here. If you select a club that ultimately does not participate this year, you will be notified and asked to choose a different club.
Enter the name of the club on your Participant Registration Form. You must complete this form by August 24, 2020.
| Club | Seminar date | Mentored hunt date |
|---|---|---|
| Norco Sportsman's Club (Princeton) | September 8 and 15 | September 19 |
| Essex County League, Danvers Fish and Game Club | September 15 and 22 | September 26 |
| Carver Sportsmen's Club | TBD | October 10 |
| Falmouth Sportsmen's Club | September 26 | October 10 |
Attention sportsmen's clubs
The Massachusetts Youth Pheasant Hunt Program was developed for Sportsmen's Clubs and related groups to:
- Provide interested young adults with an opportunity to practice skills (learned in the Hunter Education course) in a program that includes shotgun shooting, pre-hunt field practicum and culminating in a pheasant hunt while supervised by responsible, licensed adult hunters in an enjoyable environment.
- Provide local sporting clubs who want to pass on the traditions of hunting and the great outdoors with tools and guidance in implementing a successful young adult hunting experience.
If you have questions about the program, please contact MassWildlife's Field HQ at (508) 389-6300.
The MassWildlife District office that serves your community can answer questions about possible locations for the Youth Pheasant Hunt if you do not want to hold the hunt at your club:
- Central District - West Boylston (508) 835-3607
- Connecticut Valley District - Belchertown (413) 323-7632
- Northeast District - Ayer (978) 772-2145
- Southeast District - Bourne (508) 759-3406
- Western District - Dalton (413) 684-1646