The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is opening spring turkey season on May 1 in upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County line, the agency announced today. DEC's annual youth turkey hunting weekend is scheduled for April 22-23.
The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of upstate New York and Suffolk County. DEC encourages experienced hunters to take a novice hunter afield this spring, whether the novice is a young person or an adult getting into the sport for the first time.
"Hunting is an excellent way to connect people to the natural world," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "Spending time afield with a new hunter is a chance to teach them about conservation, the environment, and wildlife. It's the perfect opportunity to put novice hunters on the path to becoming safe and responsible hunters."
DEC reports that the turkey population experienced reproductive success in the summer of 2015, and combined with relatively mild winters in 2015-16 and 2016-17, it is anticipated that the spring harvest will be up from last year and above the five-year average (about 20,000 birds). The estimated turkey harvest for spring 2016 was 18,400 birds, and nearly 6,000 junior hunters harvested an estimated 1,300 birds during the two-day youth hunt in 2016.
Important Details for the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 22 and 23
- Hunters 12 to 15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit.
- Youth 12-13 years of age 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, bow, or crossbow, 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 youth turkey hunt is open in all of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and across Suffolk County.
- 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 only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1.
- Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older.
- All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.