2026 youth turkey season set to open on April 25

The statewide spring turkey season commences each year on the first day of May and closes at the end of the month on May 31. But prior to the opener, youths aged 12 to 15 can get a jump on the season when they participate in the Spring Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend.  This year, the youth hunt falls on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. Shooting hours are from half-hour before sunrise to noon.

The Youth Wild Turkey Hunt is an excellent opportunity for junior hunters to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters to gain critical skills needed to become safe and responsible hunters. To be eligible, youths 12, 13, 14, or 15 years of age must hold a hunting license and turkey permit. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult. Youths 12 and 13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person over 21 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Their 14-year-old and 15-year-old counterparts must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person over 18 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.

Additionally, the accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. They may assist the youth, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow or crossbow. The bag limit for the youth hunt is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken in upstate counties in New York beginning May 1. All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.

For further information on general and turkey hunting rules and regulations, check DEC’s turkey season page or the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide at their website, www.dec.ny.gov.

In Greene County, thanks to local New York State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Lucas Palmateer, youth turkey hunters have an excellent opportunity to acquire turkey hunting skills at a formal training session. On Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m., any youth accompanied by an adult can attend the free instruction entitled, “Youth Turkey Hunting Skills, Tactics and Patterning Day.” The event includes an opportunity to pattern your shotgun. It will be held at the Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville. All Youth turkey hunters and parent/guardians are welcome to attend this free event.

This training/patterning opportunity will be followed up the next week on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Youth Turkey Hunt/BBQ at the Norton Hill Wildlife Club. There will be lots of great giveaways, including decoys and turkey hunting vests calls and more. Plus, kids will have an opportunity to commiserate with fellow youth hunters about the birds that did, and didn’t get away! So, bring your bird or your story to the clubhouse! Both events are sponsored by the Norton Hill Wildlife Club, the Northern Catskills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA) and the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

*A limited number of mentors may be provided, upon request, to take youths aged 12-15 out hunting with their parent or guardian. The deadline to arrange for a mentor is April 18. Call ECO Lucas Palmateer at 518-478-1698 to check availability of mentors and for further information.

Here’s hoping everyone has a safe and enjoyable hunt, and a great time training and attending the BBQ!

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!

Remember to report poaching violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

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A resident of Durham, Larry is a retired captain with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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