[ODFW-News] Tag Sale, Youth Hunts, Hunter Safety

[ODFW News]

* Deer, Cougar, Bear Hunting Tag Sale Deadline Approaching
* Space Available for Popular September Youth Pheasant Hunts=20
* Hunter Safety Educational Events to be Held=20

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: (503) 872-5700
=09
For Immediate Release	September 6, 2002

Deer, Cougar, Bear Hunting Tag Sale Deadline Approaching
Hunters Encouraged to Buy Tags Early

PORTLAND - The deadline to purchase tags for buck deer, cougar and bear =
hunting seasons is Friday, Sept. 27. Oregon wildlife officials urge =
hunters to visit a license agent soon to avoid the inevitable long lines.

Traditionally, the day before the start of these hunts results in one of =
the busiest license sale days of the year.  In 2001, around $480,000 in =
revenue from licenses, tags and other documents was received on the =
deadline day.  By comparison, about $88,000 in revenue was received =
yesterday.

The following hunts are affected by the deadline: general cougar season =
for the remainder of 2002, general fall black bear season, general western =
Oregon deer centerfire seasons, and controlled eastern Oregon buck deer =
centerfire seasons.

Hunters may purchase tags at many Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =
offices and more than 560 Point-of-Sale license agents. =20

Information on big game hunting rules and seasons can be found in the 2002 =
Oregon Big Game Regulations.  Hunters also may call their local ODFW =
office for information or the general information line at (503) 872-5268.

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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	 Nancy Smogor (503) 872-5264 x5358=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
=09
For Immediate Release	September 6, 2002

Registration Ongoing for September Youth Pheasant Hunts=20
Space Available for Popular Hunter Education Clinics

PORTLAND - Many open slots remain for young hunters to participate in one =
of 11 pheasant hunts to be held throughout the state in the next three =
weeks.=20

Youth pheasant hunts are held across the state during the month of =
September. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife urges young hunters =
and their parents to get involved. Hunters who wish to participate must =
possess a valid Hunter Education Certificate and Harvest Information =
Program (HIP) validation. Hunters age 14 and older must possess a valid =
Oregon hunting license and proper bird validations. Only non-toxic shot =
may be used on state wildlife areas. A blaze orange hat and vest must be =
worn by all participants, including adults.

At most hunts, a youth shotgun clinic also is planned. A Hunter Education =
Certificate and HIP validation are not required to attend the shotgun =
clinic.

Advance registration is recommended by calling the number listed. Walk-ins =
also are welcomed. Locations include:

Location - Date(s) -	Phone Number - Shotgun Clinic?
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area - Sept. 14, 15 - (503) 621-3488 - Yes
EE Wilson Wildlife Area - Sept. 14, 15/Sept. 21, 22 - (541) 745-5334 - =
No/Yes
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area - Sept. 21, 22 - (541) 935-2591 - No
Denman Wildlife Area -  Sept. 21, 22 - (541) 826-8774 - Yes
Klamath Wildlife Area - Sept. 14, 15 - (541) 883-5732 - Yes
Willow Creek (Crook County)- Sept. 14, 15 - (541) 447-5111 - Yes
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area - Sept. 14, 15 - (541) 963-2138 - Yes
Baker City - Sept .21, 22 - (541) 963-2138 - Yes
Irrigon Wildlife Area	 - Sept. 21, 22 - (541) 276-2344 - Yes
Ontario - Vale - Sept. 21, 22 - (541) 889-2859 - Yes
John Day Area - Sept. 14, 15 - (541) 575-1167 -Yes

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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
=09

For Immediate Release	September 6, 2002

Hunter Safety Educational Events to be Held=20
All Hunters Invited to Reduce Potential for Accidents in the Field

PORTLAND - Hunters will learn how to reduce the potential for hunting =
accidents and the unintentional violation of wildlife laws during =
educational forums to be held Sept. 18 and 19 in Springfield and Salem.

All hunters - experienced or not - are invited.=20

Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department =
of Fish and Wildlife are sponsoring the events. OSP officers will present =
information on game laws and hunting safety. Instructors from ODFW's =
Hunter Education Program will provide information on safely hunting with a =
partner and how to prevent hunting related accidents. In the last five =
years, ODFW has documented an average of 7.4 hunting-related accidents per =
year. Almost all were preventable.=20

Each event will last about one hour and provide ample opportunity to ask =
questions.=20

The following sessions are scheduled:
-Springfield: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, Union Hall, South A =
Street. Contact John Nagy at (541) 747-3985 for more information.=20
-Salem: 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002, PGE Building at the corner of =
Portland Road and Kale Road. Contact Joe Ricker at (503) 399-0177 for more =
information.

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