Took this off the Norheast page. I can't wait, this has really got me psyched now!!

Let's talk turkey. Thanks to New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, you'll be able to do just that and more- on Youth Turkey Day, scheduled for the weekend of April 24-25. The new regulation will permit youngsters ages 12-15 to hunt wild turkey, provided the young hunter has a valid junior hunting license, a tukey permit and is accompanied by a fully licensed adult. The weekend is for junior hunters only; the accompanying adult or guardian can assist only by calling the gobbler. Gerry Barnhart, director of the DEC's Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, said that the youth hunt would always precede the start of the regular spring turkey season by three days and that the bag limit is restricted to one bearded bird. "That bird would then become part of the youth's regular spring-season, two-bird limit.The second bird can be taken during legal hunting hours between May 1st and May 31st," Barnhart said
Barnhart also said that DEC is proposing a similiar youth hunt for deer and bear that would allow youngsters ages 16-17 to hunt big game the weekend of November 13-14.

Personally I'm against this. For starters, calling turkeys is not the same as hunting deer or bear. Secondly, most hunters only hunt the weekends.

We started here in CT last year, and from the experience trust me...the birds were definitely adversely affected by the earlier start. Could have been bad calling, over calling, whatever...quite a few guys in NY are gonna be peeved over this, especially in areas that are hunted and scouted hard.

Instead of making special "youth days", why can't the kids miss school for the first day of the season? That's how it was when we were all in school, what has changed so much in the last 10-20+ years?

The kids aren't doing the calling usually an experienced adult, right?

I think people calling from the roads before a seaon would have as much if not more aneffect then this will.

How many youths participated State wide to have such an adverse effect on that many birds?

No one is loosing a weekend from their hunt either they added a extra weekend. The birds will have a full week with out pressure before the normal start of the season.

Charlie, let me answer your questions simply and then elaborate.

1) Sometimes the kids are more knowledgeable than their "hunting" parents, and in general the kids do a fair amount if not most of the calling. It's a learning day, and I mean, that's how we learn right?

2) There's no question that any preseason calling will screw up birds. But most guys know enough to stop calling the immediate week/days before the season begins. Young hunters and their sometimes inexperienced "guides" bump birds from the strut zones, roosts and can disrupt their cyclicity. Also, the normal preseason calling is not followed by heavy footsteps and the sound of shotguns

3) Charlie, I'm not sure how many youths participated, the numbers have not been compiled and the statistics haven't been tabulated. In reality, NY may not be that bad, Charlie. But here in CT, you have to realize the dynamics of the state. Of the 75% of the state's private land, hunters may get permission on about 10-25% to hunt. That makes for a haven of refuge to begin with, let alone squandered opportunities. Of the state lands, most are a lottery system---and altogehter only account for ~10% of the state's total harvest.

General: In my particular hunting areas, hunters are numerous and dedicated. However, there are also many that are just learning, as the birds were actually re-introduced in the 1970's with full blown statewide seasons opening a mere 15+ years ago. In CT, we are also encumbered by the blue laws, and have no hunting on Sunday. I saw adverse reactions with only one youth day, I don't even want to consider what two would do to the birds.

Conclusion: there are a good number of experienced hunters, but are outnumbered by unsuccessful inexperienced turkey hunters. Just a dynamic of the state.

The youth day is a good concept, for getting our kids into the woods, but I would much rather see the parents allow the kids to take a few days/mornings off from school and go hunting. I mean, it's all education, just not textbook right?

I agree with you,been taking my son out of school to go hunting with me since the second grade.

You made a good point about the calling. My son(13) wants me to do all the calling. Doesn't have it down that good yet(sometimes,think I don't either) so I'm basically guiding him. He told me he's worried enough about the other stuff, you do the calling.lol.

I'm also lucky because I have alot of priviate land to hunt on and there are some large public tracts too.

I see your points I'll try and not enjoy the weekend too much.

i originally posted this and i am for it completely... this is my first turkey season, and i cant wait!!!

Lighten up guys! the youth of America is the future of our sport.Lets give them a chance to go out and see what our sport is like or can be like.Youth hunters need some initial good experiences and a little sucsess to start that burning passion most of us have.So if the birds are a bit skidish and a bit harder to hunt,they would be like that after the first day or two anyways.Things will settle down latter in the season when the pressure is less.I say lets welcome all the young hunters we can and if this helps do that so be it.Good luck squirellhunter 91,and if any young hunters in the Rochester NY area would like a guardian to take them out that weekend I would love to help a young hunter get there 1st tom

opening day is on a weekend

I think that is a great idea. I know here in Fla. the kids don't have a chance except onn the special hunts for them.
There are so many hunters that will move right in on a young hunter and Screw him or her up. it make me so mad I can hardly hold myslef back.
I say let the kids have a couple of day by there slef to enjoy them and there dads or moms with out some fool running in on them and giving them the wrong idea.

if that couple of days are gonna mess up the birds,then they are just messed up,so be it.
Lets all try to help the kids get into the sport,rather than keep them at home and in school.
I have found that some guys want to get into the woods and call and call and spook the birds for two or three weeks befor the season.

if you want to stop something,lets stop the calling while scouting.no calling at all till the opening day.if you want to go listen and scout ,then ok,but no calling.
I would rather see that than try to stop the special hunts for the kids.
JMHO...[8D]

I know some guys that doesn't want the kids out there."I think they are worried that the kids are gonna show them up"