Oct. 5 offers special hunting opportunity to young hunters

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has set aside Oct. 5 as a special waterfowl hunting day for youngsters.

In order to qualify, hunters must be under 16 years of age. They must have a valid hunting license, but will not be required to purchase state or federal duck stamps. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years of age or older. The adult will not be permitted to hunt.

Hunting is restricted to ducks, coots and snipe with normal daily bag limits. Hunting hours for youth hunting day will be: Coastal Zone, 6:50 a.m. - 6:54 p.m.; West Slope Zone, 6:39 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.; East Slope Zone, 6:32 a.m. - 6: 38 p.m.; Far East Zone, 6:21 a.m. - 6:26 p.m.

Information about youth hunting day and the regular waterfowl hunting season, which opens Oct. 12, may be found in the department's 1996-97 migratory waterfowl hunting pamphlet. The pamphlet is available at all Department of Fish and Wildlife offices, sporting goods stores and other businesses that sell hunting licenses.