The NYS DEC recently released their 2009 Spring Turkey Forecast which indicates an average season for New Yorkers. Based on brood surveys over the last two years and harvest data, the spring 2009 season has the potential to be about the same as 2008 and close to the five-year average spring harvest (about 29,500 birds). An above-average 2007 hatch combined with a decent late-season hatch in 2008 should provide hunters with opportunities to harvest two-year-old birds as well as quite a few jakes. There is a lot of variation among regions of the state and even within a region. Northern New York, in particular, received above-average spring rainfall in 2008, so production was worse there than in other parts of the state. Unfortunately, that's two straight seasons with poor production in DEC Region 6, likely driving down spring harvest there. DEC Regions 4 and 7 have had consistently good production the past few years, so harvest should be similar to or slightly better than last year with both young birds and adult birds available. The rest of the state may be similar to, or slightly below last year's harvest.
"the spring 2009 season has the potential to be about the same as 2008 and close to the five-year average spring harvest of 29,500 birds"
The regular spring season opens on Friday, May 1, and continues through Sunday, May 31. Important details of the 2009 spring turkey hunting season include:
- 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 2 bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only 1 bird per day.
- Hunters may not use rifles or handguns. Hunters may hunt only with a shotgun and shot sizes no larger than # 2 or smaller than # 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 48 hours of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online.
- Hunters who take a bird with a leg band, in addition to reporting their harvest via phone or Internet, are encouraged to call the "800" number listed on the band. The information help DEC staff better manage the wild turkey resource.
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