PRAIRIE CITY – Connor Broemeling is hooked on bird hunting.

Broemeling, 14, was among a group of more than 30 kids who participated in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual Youth Pheasant Hunt Sept. 13 and 14. Broemeling had never bird hunted prior to the hunt; he shot two pheasants each day.

“I’m definitely going bird hunting again,” Broemeling said. “I thought it was pretty cool and it was even better because I got some birds on my first time ever.”

ODFW district wildlife biologist Ryan Torland said the hunt is held to help introduce kids to bird hunting. Anyone under 18 can take part in the hunt. Kids have to take a hunter safety class, pass the Harvest Information Program, have a hunting license and bird game stamp to participate in the program.

The program includes safety and shooting instruction. Several members of the Grant County Chapter of the Oregon Hunter’s Association and the Oregon Bird Hunters Club helped plant the birds, organize with landowners and hold the event.

Mark Bagett and others spent the two days instructing kids on shooting skills and practicing with clays. The ODFW provided shotgun shells, hunter-orange hats and vests as well as safety glasses for the kids.

The hunting itself took place on various parcels of private land around Prairie City. DR Johnson, Russell Ricco, John Coombs, Mike and Helen Emmel, Cynthia Jackson, Wendell and Penny Black, Ericka Watson and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs all volunteered the use of their land for the hunt.

“The whole event wouldn’t work as well without the OHA and OBHC working with the landowners,” Torland said.