This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah will host its annual Youth Waterfowl Hunt this Saturday and, for the second year in a row, youth who haven't completed a hunter education course can participate.

The state's trial hunting program allows someone who is 21 years or older to take a 12- to 15-year-old out to the marshes for the hunt, even if the younger hunter has not completed Hunter Education.

"It's the perfect time to be in the marsh," said Utah Division of Wildlife Resources migratory bird coordinator Blair Stringham. "The kids you take will see plenty of ducks. And they should get plenty of shots."

He said that since adults can't hunt during the youth hunt, they can give their undivided attention to the kids.

Shooting starts Saturday at 6:42 a.m. To participate in the hunt, you must be 15 years of age or younger, have a current hunting license and a harvest information program number, and be accompanied by an adult.

While there are good numbers of ducks on marshes, some managers are being challenged by the low water levels of the Great Salt Lake and the rivers that feed it.

For example, staff at the federal Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge said that units 1A, 2B, 2D, 3B and Duckville are low and filling slowly. Units 2C and 9 remain dry. The Willard Spur and Perry Boat Launches will not be open for boating.

More information about the Youth Waterfowl Hunt, including the number of ducks and geese kids can take, is available on page 28 of the 2015-2016 Utah Waterfowl Guidebook, which is available at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.