HUNTING -- About 925 acres has been acquired near Potlatch, Idaho, for youth hunters to pursue pen-raised pheasants released by a sportsmen's group.

Idaho Fish and Game secured access to the property through it's Access Yes program with the help of The Game Bird Foundation, said the group's spokesman Jim Hagedorn in Viola.

The area is open to licensed hunters age 17 and under accompanied by an adult who also must have a valid Idaho hunting license, Hagedorn said.  "Both the mentor and the youth can hunt," he said. 

"It is required that the hunters sign in at the kiosk on South River Road before hunting. 

Directions:  Take Highway 6 between Potlatch, Idaho and Palouse Washington. From the Potlatch side, drive 2.75 miles, take a left on Wellesy Road and drive 1.75 miles to South River Road.  Turn left, cross the railroad tracks and the river bridge.  The sign-in kiosk is in the parking area.

"The Gamebird Foundation has raised about 200 roosters pheasants that they have released in the last two weeks," Hagedorn said.  "These birds are 10 weeks old.  Some hens pheasants also have been released," he added noting that hens are protected.

"It cost the Gamebird Foundation about $3 per bird released; we hope a few will be harvested."

Info: Andrew Mackey of Idaho Fish and Game, (208) 799-5010 or Jim Hagedorn Viola, Idaho (208) 883-3423.

Information also is available on the Idaho Fish and Game website under Access Yes.