New York Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1
OutdoorHub 04.24.13
The 2013 spring turkey season opens May 1 in all of upstate New York lying north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.
“Turkey hunting remains a very popular activity with more than 100,000 turkey hunters taking to the field each spring,” Commissioner Martens said. “As part of Governor Cuomo’s NY’s Open for Hunting and Fishing initiative, the annual Youth Turkey Hunt took place this past weekend and was an excellent chance for young hunters to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters to learn about conservation first-hand, gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of New York’s hunting community.”
Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2013:
- 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 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 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html.
For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2012-13 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the “Turkey Hunting” pages of the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8366.html.
