Spring turkey application deadline approaching

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Turkey hunters have until Jan. 9 to apply for the 2009 spring hunt, wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“The spring turkey application deadline tends to sneak up on hunters, so we extended the process this year,” said Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program leader. “Although we’ve allowed additional time, we encourage hunters to apply early and avoid the last-minute rush.”

Hunters can apply for one of 42,328 permits to hunt a five- or seven-day season in one of 76 permit areas. Last year, spring turkey hunters harvested a record 10,944 birds.

This spring’s hunt will consist of six five-day and two seven-day seasons, with all participants chosen by lottery. Hunters not chosen will be eligible to purchase surplus turkey permits, which will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis in mid March. Those not chosen will also earn preference points, increasing their chances of being drawn in future years.

Archery spring turkey licenses will again be available for residents and nonresidents. Archery spring turkey licenses may be purchased for the last two time periods only in any permit area with 50 or more applicants. Successful spring lottery applicants who hunt with a bow do not need to purchase a separate archery license.

Turkey hunters may harvest only one bird regardless of hunting method, and must hunt within the permit area and season listed on their licenses.

The $18 turkey license and $5 turkey stamp have been combined into one fee, creating a new $23 license cost, which does not include the $3 application fee or any transaction fees. As in the past, all $5 stamp proceeds will be placed into a dedicated account used strictly for turkey management.

The 2009 wild turkey lottery application booklets are available at 1,800 license agents statewide or online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting. The application booklet contains maps of open wild turkey permit areas, permit quotas, dates and an application worksheet. Hunters should complete the application worksheet in advance to ease the process at the license agent.

A special landowner-tenant preference drawing for up to 20 percent of the permits also will be conducted. Successful drawing applicants will be mailed the 2009 Spring Wild Turkey Hunt Book in February. For more information, visit the DNR Web site or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll free at 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

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