Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding hunters that the 2013 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 24 to May 25. In addition to the regular season, there are two special Saturdays which provide an opportunity for youth hunters to learn safe and effective wild turkey hunting techniques. The first one will be held this Saturday (April 13) and the second one will be held on April 20. On these days, licensed junior hunters (ages 12-15) with a valid spring season turkey permit can hunt while accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. The mentor may not carry a firearm, and juniors may hunt any state land open to turkey hunting or private land where they have obtained written consent of the landowner.

This year will mark the 33rd consecutive year that sportsmen have hunted turkeys in Connecticut. The statewide turkey population is estimated between 35,000-38,000 birds. Healthy and numerous wild turkey populations exist throughout the majority of Connecticut’s woodlands. During the 2012 spring turkey season, 8,615 hunters took 1,364 bearded turkeys.

“In addition to longer and warmer days, spring brings a special treat for many Connecticut hunters – turkey hunting. Our mixed hardwood forests and adjacent agricultural lands offer ideal habitat and plentiful forage, which in combination provide for some of the finest turkey hunting in New England,” said Rick Jacobson, Director of the DEEP Wildlife Division.

During the 2013 spring season, two bearded turkeys may be taken on state land and three on private land. Hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until noon each day, except on the designated junior hunter training days when the hunting hours have been extended until 5:00 PM.

Tagging and Reporting Requirements: All harvested turkeys must be tagged immediately and reported to the DEEP on-line (www.ct.gov/deep/hunting) or by phone (1-877-337-4868) within 24 hours. Hunters must use 2013 Harvest Tags to record information about turkeys they harvest. Copies of the 2013 Harvest Tags and instructions are on page 25 of the 2013 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and also are available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/hunting. Hunters are no longer required to mail in a harvest report card. After reporting their harvest via the Internet or by telephone, hunters will be given a confirmation number to write on their Harvest Tag. This confirmation number serves as proof that the harvest was legally reported.

Recommended safety precautions for spring turkey hunting:

· Become familiar with two or more areas to hunt, so if someone is already hunting in one of those areas, you can move to another site.

· If another hunter is encountered in the woods, remain still and speak in a loud clear voice to announce your presence.

· Eliminate the colors red, white, and blue from your hunting outfit. These colors are associated with a gobbler’s head and could be mistaken as a turkey.

· Hunters must be sure of their target and what is beyond it, prior to taking a shot.



“Common sense and patience are required for maintaining a safe hunting experience and harvesting a gobbler,” added Jacobson. “Spring turkey hunting requires preparation. Scouting, calling, and hunting techniques unique to this effort can be learned by attending seminars, reading articles, watching videos, and talking with experienced turkey hunters.”

Turkey hunters who hunt on private land are reminded that written landowner permission, on a form provided by the DEEP, is required. Hunters may obtain both a private land and state land permit type during the spring season. Private land and state land permits may be purchased on-line (www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing) or over the counter at some DEEP offices, town clerk offices, and commercial vendors that sell hunting, fishing, and outdoor equipment. More information on the spring turkey season, hunting regulations, junior hunter training days, and tagging and reporting requirements is contained in the 2013 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, which is available wherever hunting licenses are sold and on the DEEP’s Web site (www.ct.gov/deep/hunting). 


By Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection