DOVER –-(Ammoland.com)- With Delaware’s spring wild turkey hunting season fast approaching, DNREC’s Hunter Education Program reminds both resident and non-resident hunters that they must pass a Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife-approved course on turkey hunting before they can legally hunt turkeys in the First State.
For hunters who choose to take the one-day Wild Turkey Hunter Education Course offered by the Division of Fish & Wildlife to fulfill their mandatory course requirement, registration is now open for course dates in Kent and Sussex counties. Sussex County course dates in March will be announced in the near future. New Castle and Kent courses will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates at the following locations:
- Kent County – Saturday, Jan. 28, Sunday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, March 11 at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901
- New Castle County – Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12 at Ommelanden Hunter/Trapper Education Training Center and Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720
“Delaware’s turkey hunter education course teaches students age 10 and older important turkey hunting safety information as well as current laws and regulations pertaining to wild turkey hunting in the state,” said Delaware Hunter Education Coordinator Mark Ostroski. “Students also learn the biology and behavior of the wild turkey, the wild turkey’s history in Delaware and turkey calling.”
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to print their Delaware Turkey Hunter Safety Card or have the turkey course certification added to their Delaware Hunter Education Card, which must be carried while hunting, Ostroski said.
All students planning on attending one of the courses must register in advance. To register for the one-day course, click Hunter Education Online Access and after logging in, click “Sign me up” and select “Mandatory Turkey Ed.” Students may also contact the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1.
Delaware’s 2017 spring wild turkey season will run from Saturday, April 8 through Saturday, May 6, with a youth/non-ambulatory disabled turkey hunt on Saturday, April 1. For more information on wild turkey hunting in Delaware, click on 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from license agents throughout the state.