Saint Paul, Minn. - July 17, 2008 - Interested young people can apply by Aug. 15 for a chance to step into the field with an experienced guide this fall and step out carrying pheasants. The Pheasants Forever (PF) first-ever special mentored youth hunt is co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and takes place on Oct. 25.

"This is a new hunting lottery opportunity for Minnesota youths and their parents," said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. "We can't guarantee that every kid will take home a pheasant but we're sure every participant will learn by doing and will have a safe, high-quality experience."

Guides from Pheasant Forever chapters throughout Minnesota will be paired with youth hunters and their guardians. After scouting places to hunt and securing landowner permission when necessary, guides will take participants into the field.

"The guide is there to explain techniques and tactics," Kurre said. "A parent or adult guardian is there so he or she can learn the right way to continue to foster a youth's interest as well as learn from the guide."

To be eligible to participate in the lottery for hunts that are expected take place throughout much of the southern two-thirds of Minnesota, a youth must be 12-17 years old as of Oct. 25; possess a valid firearms safety certificate; and have a parent, guardian or adult authorized by a parent or guardian accompany them as a non-firearms carrying mentor to the pre-hunt orientation and the hunt. Applicants must specify in which county they'd like to hunt by referring to a map of the counties where Pheasants Forever has chapters. The chapter map will be included with the application.

Applications for the hunt lottery are due at 4 p.m. on Aug. 15 and are available on the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov or by contacting the DNR Information Center at 888-MINNDNR (646-6367.) The lottery will be conducted Sept. 15. Only successful applicants will be notified via post by Sept. 26.

The winner's notice will contain specific information about hunting license requirements, equipment and contact information for the hunt coordinator. Youth winners must contact their hunt coordinator after receiving their notice.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 129,000 members in over 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org