If you're 12 to 15 years old — and you want to experience a guided waterfowl hunt you'll remember the rest of your life—you need to make a phone call no later than Sept. 8.

A young hunter takes aim at a bird during the 2011 guided youth hunt.

Photo by Stacey Jones

If you're one of the lucky youngsters whose name is drawn, you'll get to participate in a free hunt that will be guided by some of the best waterfowl hunters in Utah.

Sept. 22 is the day Utah's special youth waterfowl hunt will be held. As part of the day, conservation officers with the Division of Wildlife Resources and members of the Utah Waterfowl Association have teamed up to offer this special experience to a select number of youth hunters.

"Late September is a great time to hunt ducks and geese," says Sergeant Keith Fullenkamp, one of the DWR officers who'll participate in the hunt. "The weather is usually perfect, and the number of ducks in Utah is the highest they'll be all year. The kids who participate will have a lot of fun. And they'll learn a lot about waterfowl hunting from the experienced guides who'll accompany them."

The free, guided hunts will be held on the morning of Sept. 22 at locations in Davis and Weber counties. Here's what's required to participate:

• You must be a graduate of Utah's Hunter Education program.
• You must be at least 12 years old, and no older than 15 years old, on Sept. 22.
• You must provide your own ammunition, shotgun, waders, hunting license and basic personal hunting gear. The guide, boats and decoys will be provided free of charge.
• Your parent or legal guardian must accompany you on the hunt.
• You must sign a liability waiver.

After the hunt is over, Widow Maker boats will provide a free lunch. The lunch will be served at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area nature center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It's easy to submit your name to participate. All you have to do is call Utah Waterfowl Association member Troy Thompson at 801-698-6467, or Fullenkamp at 801-725-8990, and let them know you're interested.

Please call one of them no later than Sept. 8.