By New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Opening day for spring turkey season is May 1 in upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County line, with youth weekend opening April 22-23.
The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12 to 15 is open in all of upstate New York and Suffolk County.
This spring, experienced hunters are being encouraged to take a novice hunter afield, whether the novice is a young person or an adult just getting into the sport.
Because the state’s turkey population experienced reproductive success in the summer of 2015, when combined with relatively mild winters in 2015-16 and 2016-17, biologists anticipate the spring harvest will be up from 2016 and above the five-year average of about 20,000 birds.
Estimated turkey harvest for spring 2016 was 18,400 birds, and nearly 6,000 junior hunters harvested an estimated 1,300 birds during the two-day youth hunt in 2016.
Youth hunters 12 to 15 years of age must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit, be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14 to 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 18 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit, and may assist the youth hunter in calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow or crossbow, or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the hunt. All other turkey hunting regulations must be observed.
Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older.
The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird which becomes part of the youth's regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1.
During spring turkey season May 1 to 31, 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 hunting license, and may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day.
Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow or crossbow.
Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with the turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested. All harvest must be reported within seven days of taking a bird by calling (866) 426-3778, or online.