The Department will accommodate as many hunters as possible with hunts in Imperial, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Geared primarily to new hunters, DFG also encourages former hunters to return to upland game bird hunting and introduce families and friends to the tradition of responsible hunting values.

Public response to last year's hunts was tremendous and due to the growing number of participants, DFG is adding more hunts to this year's program. There will be an added day for junior hunts in San Diego County and an added day of family hunts in Ventura County. With the help of highly dedicated and motivated hunt partners, DFG can offer safe, educational, and inspirational hunting opportunities.

The Department has implemented a great addition to the program by allowing newly licensed California hunters who received their hunter education certificate this year to obtain a pheasant hunt certificate that allows them to participate in the hunt of their choice without taking part in the random drawing.

To get an application for the Special Pheasant Hunts, contact the Department's game bird hotline at (562) 590-5100, stop by a local field office, contact a hunter education instructor, or visit our web site at www.dfg.ca.gov. Mail or deliver completed applications to the Department of Fish and Game, Attention: Game Bird Heritage Program; 4665 Lampson Ave., Suite C; Los Alamitos, CA 90720. Applications may be faxed to (562) 342-7153.

Applications must be received at the Los Alamitos office no later than September 1 to be eligible for the random drawing.