The Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with the California Deer Association (CDA), will begin hosting junior hunting opportunities on the 4,200-acre Ca??ada de los Osos (CDLO) Ecological Reserve in April. An additional half-day dove hunt on the Santa Clara County reserve has been added to the schedule this year.

The first junior hunt will be held on April 14-15, and will be for turkey only. Five junior hunters will be chosen by drawing to participate. All juniors must be accompanied by an adult. The first day includes classroom instruction, range and field assistance in gun handling and safety, turkey hunting techniques, and game care. There will be shooting practice as well as instruction on wildlife and hunting. Participants will be guided on their hunts by CDA volunteers. This is a two-day event, with overnight lodging available in nearby Gilroy. Lunch will be provided by CDA.

To apply, applicants must submit a postcard with the hunter's name, address, telephone number, hunt applied for, and 2006-2007 junior hunting license number to:

California Department of Fish and Game
?Į20 Lower Ragsdale Road
?ĮMonterey, CA 93940
?ĮAttn: CDLO Junior Hunt
Applications may also be submitted by fax to (831) 649-2894 or email to JDeWald@dfg.ca.gov. The same information must be provided.

The application process is the same for all CDLO hunts. Applicants may only submit a single application for each hunt and applications need to be received at the address above by 5 p.m. on the hunt deadline. Applications can be submitted at any time in advance of the deadline. Applications received late or incomplete will not be considered in the draw. Applicants will be notified of the results by mail. Those who are selected will receive additional information, including maps and special regulations, prior to their hunt.

The hunt schedule is as follows:

Hunt Hunt Dates # Juniors Deadline
Spring Turkey April 14-15 5 March 14
Spring Pig May 26-27 5 April 26
Evening Dove Hunt Sept. 1 5 Aug. 1
Deer Sept. 15-16 4 Aug. 15
Fall Pig Oct. 13-14 5 Sept. 13
Fall Upland Gamebird Nov. 10-11 5 Oct. 10