Dover, DE -(AmmoLand.com)- Prior to the start of Delaware’s 2016 spring wild turkey season, youth ages 10-15 and non-ambulatory disabled hunters will have a special one-day turkey hunt opportunity on Saturday, April 2, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today.
Youth and disabled hunters will be able to hunt wild turkeys on private property, state wildlife areas and state forest lands.
Hunters ages 13-15 must have a valid Delaware junior hunting license and must have completed a hunter education course, as well as a Division of Fish & Wildlife-approved turkey hunter safety class. Hunters age 10-12 are exempt from these requirements. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older who is licensed to hunt in Delaware, and who has taken a Division of Fish & Wildlife-approved turkey education class. Adult companions may not possess a firearm during the hunt. For more information on hunter education classes, click Delaware Hunter Education.
As with the regular turkey hunting season, hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. All birds taken must be checked by 2:30 p.m. on the day of the hunt at an authorized turkey check station. A list of 2016 check stations can be found online at Hunting Information. The bag limit for all turkey hunters is one bearded bird per year; birds without beards may not be taken.
All state wildlife areas normally open for hunting during the regular turkey season are also open for the youth/non-ambulatory disabled turkey hunt. No special turkey hunting permits are required for hunting on state wildlife areas on this day. Areas are open on a first-come, first-served basis with no registration required. For wildlife area-specific regulations, click Delaware Hunting Maps.
All state forest lands that are open during the regular turkey season will be open for the special hunt, including Redden State Forest, Blackbird State Forest and Taber State Forest. For specific areas, check Forest Maps. For more information, call one of these state forest offices: Redden State Forest, 302-856-2893; Blackbird State Forest, 302-653-6505; and Taber State Forest, 302-698-4549.
For more information, including a list of eligible public lands, consult the Wild Turkey Hunting Section on page 26 of the 2015-2016 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Hard copies of the guide are available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and from license agents statewide.
Delaware hunting licenses are sold online, at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.
Delaware’s regular spring turkey hunting season opens on Saturday, April 9 and runs through Saturday, May 7.
This program is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is part of the national No Child Left Inside program.
About the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC):
DNREC is committed to preserving the quality of Delaware’s environment, maintaining the health and safety of its residents, and protecting the natural systems upon which life depends. DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s mission is to ensure that the freshwater, marine and wildlife resources of the State of Delaware will be conserved and managed for equitable and sustainable use.
For more information, visit: www.dnrec.delaware.gov.