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DEC Announces May 1 Opening of Turkey Hunting Seasons
Published: April 24, 2022 at
07:30 p.m.
By: Media Release from NYS DEC
DEC Announces May 1
Opening of Turkey Hunting Seasons
Annual Youth Turkey
Hunting Weekend is April 23 and 24
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Commissioner Basil Seggos Friday announced that
spring turkey season opens on Sunday, May 1, in all of
upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In
addition, DEC's annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on
Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24. The youth turkey hunt for junior
hunters ages 12 to 15 is open in all of upstate
New York and Suffolk County.
"May is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the
fantastic turkey hunting opportunities throughout New York
State," Commissioner Seggos said. "The
gobble of a tom turkey keeps hunters going afield year after year to chase
these popular game birds."
The spring turkey harvest in New York averages approximately
19,000 birds and varies based on the number of participants and turkey
productivity in the previous few spring seasons. This spring, DEC
biologists expect hunters to take more turkeys than last year. Hunters
prefer to take toms (birds older than two years) over younger male jakes,
so typically wildlife managers see a two-year lag between summer
productivity and spring take. Overall, turkey populations are lower than a
few years ago due to below-average reproductive success in two of the last
three years. However, improved turkey productivity in 2020 will mean a
greater proportion of toms available to hunters this spring compared to
last year.
Important Information for the May Spring
Turkey Season:
· Hunting is permitted in most areas of the
state, except for New York City and Long Island;
· Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in
addition to their hunting 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;
· The bag limit for the youth hunt is one
bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular season bag
limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken in upstate New York
(north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary) beginning May 1;
· 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 or crossbow
(except crossbows may not be used in Westchester County);
· Successful hunters must fill out the tag
that 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 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or
report harvest online at DEC's
Game Harvest Reporting webpage; and
· For more information about turkey hunting in
New York, see the 2021-22 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit
the Turkey Hunting pages of DEC's website.
Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart!
While statistics show that hunting in New York State is safer
than ever, mistakes are made each year. Every hunting-related shooting
incident is preventable, and DEC encourages hunters to use common sense
this season and remember what they were taught in their DEC Hunter
Education course:
· Point your gun in a safe direction;
· Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
· Be sure of your target and beyond;
· Keep your finger off the trigger until ready
to shoot; and
· Stalking stinks! Sit with your back against
a tree or other object wider than your shoulders and call birds to you.
DEC also encourages all hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze
pink when moving between hunting spots to make themselves more visible to
other hunters. A blaze orange or blaze pink vest or other material can be
hung in a nearby tree when you are set up and calling birds so other
hunters are alerted to your presence.
A hunter education class is required for all new hunters. To
find a hunter education class in your area, visit DEC's
Hunter Education Program webpage or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2
(1-888-486-8332).
Tips for a Successful and Safe Turkey
Hunting Season
· Don't stalk. More than half of turkey
hunting injuries happen when a hunter is stalking.
· Always assume any call or footsteps you hear
are from another hunter. Don't shoot until you clearly see the whole turkey
and know its sex;
· If you see another hunter, talk to him or
her clearly, and don't move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another
hunter;
· Turkeys are tough. You need to be close (30
yards or less is best). You need to get a clear head and neck shot. Do not
try to shoot them in the body or when they are flying;
· Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better
than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns;
· When calling, sit still with your back
against a big tree, to hide you from turkeys and stalkers;
· Never wear turkey colors -- red, white, or blue;
· Wear hunter orange or pink when going in or
out of the woods and when walking around;
· When sitting still waiting for a turkey, put
hunter orange or pink on a tree near you; and
· If you take a turkey or carry a decoy, wrap
it in hunter orange or pink.
For more information about getting outdoors and protecting
public lands, go to DEC's Love
Our NY Lands webpage and learn how to be prepared, Leave No
TraceTM, and other tips to be outdoors safely.
Buy Sporting Licenses Online
Sporting licenses may be purchased online at any time,
and privileges can be used immediately by simply carrying the transaction
number (DEC-LS#) while afield. Anglers, hunters, and trappers may also use
the HuntFishNY mobile app to display an
electronic copy of their license. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through the Apple App
or Google Play stores. Back tags and carcass tags must
still be mailed, and customers should allow 10-14 days for receipt of their
tags. Please visit DEC's website for more information about sporting
licenses.
Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks
Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Turkey hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse they
hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance
of this game bird. To get
a survey form, go to DEC's website or call (518) 402-8883. To
participate in DEC's Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife
surveys, visit the "Citizen Science" page of DEC's website.
Draft Regulations Available for Public
Comment
Turkey hunters are reminded that DEC is accepting
public comments through June 5, 2022, on proposed
regulations that would expand turkey hunting opportunities beginning this
fall, changing the minimum shot size from #8 to #9, and establishing a
spring turkey season in Suffolk County in 2023. More information about these proposals can
be found on DEC's website.
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