The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs will once again sponsor the popular Take A Kid Hunting Youth Pheasant Hunt on Saturday, November 5.

The Take A Kid Hunting Youth Pheasant Hunt is designed to increase a young hunter's opportunity for harvesting a pheasant with the help of experienced volunteer hunting mentors with trained bird dogs in a setting that encourages responsible, ethical and safe hunting practices. The guided hunt is specifically intended for youth hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education course and obtained a youth hunting license.

Properly licensed youth hunters can hunt on one of seven wildlife management areas (WMAs) throughout the state that will be stocked with pheasants. The seven WMAs open to the hunt are Assunpink (Monmouth County), Black River (Morris County), Clinton (Hunterdon County), Colliers Mills (Ocean County), Millville (Cumberland County), Peaslee (Cumberland County) and Whittingham (Sussex County).

Approximately 1000 pheasants raised at the Division's Rockport Pheasant Farm in Mansfield, Warren County, will be stocked specifically for the Youth Pheasant Hunt.

Volunteer mentors and dog handlers' work in conjunction with Division of Fish and Wildlife staff, and donate their time to ensure a quality experience for the youngsters. Many are from the Division's Wildlife Conservation Corps and Hunter Education programs. At least 10 volunteers help out at each of the wildlife management areas open for the event.

Volunteers are needed for this program. Anyone interested in being a mentor or who is a trained dog handler should call State Hunter Education Administrator Paul Ritter at 908-735-6826.

All participants must pre-register and be accompanied to the check-in by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are welcome to stay for the hunt and are encouraged to follow the hunters afield. All pre-registered hunters will receive an information packet prior to the hunt. One session will be offered at each location starting at 7 a.m.

Only 50 youth hunters will be allowed on each WMA for the mentored hunts. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of slots available, a random drawing will be held to select participants.

To register, complete the application form found in the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest Hunting Issue (pg. 22) and mail to the: NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Northern Region Hunter Education Office, 26 Rt. 173 West, Hampton, NJ 08827. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 22. The Digest may be obtained at local license agents and sporting goods stores as well as on the Division's Web site at www.njfishandwildlife.com/dighnt.htm.