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Spring turkey season opens May 1

Posted 4/19/11

The 2011 spring turkey season opens on May 1 in all of upstate New York and the annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is set for April 23-24. Hunters eligible for the youth turkey hunt are 12-15 years …

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Spring turkey season opens May 1

Posted

The 2011 spring turkey season opens on May 1 in all of upstate New York and the annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is set for April 23-24.

Hunters eligible for the youth turkey hunt are 12-15 years of age, holding a junior hunting license and a turkey permit.

Youth 12-13 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter (including calling), but may not carry a firearm or bow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt.

Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.

The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken beginning May 1.

Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2011:

· Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their small game hunting or sportsman license.

· Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.

· Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day.

· Hunters may not use rifles, or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow and arrow.

· Successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested.

· Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call (866) 426-3778 or report harvest online, http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html.