Annual Youth And Non-Ambulatory Hunters With Disabilities Turkey Hunt Set For April 6

DOVER – Prior to Delaware’s 2013 spring turkey season, youth ages 10 to 15 and non-ambulatory hunters with disabilities will have a special one-day hunt opportunity on Saturday, April 6. This year, youth and non-ambulatory hunters with disabilities will be able to hunt turkeys on state wildlife areas. Traditionally, this special one-day hunt had been restricted to private property.

All participants are required to have completed a Delaware-approved turkey hunting safety course. In addition, hunters ages 13 to 15 must have a valid Delaware junior hunting license and must have completed a hunter education course. Young hunters must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older who is licensed to hunt in Delaware, and who has taken a Delaware-approved turkey hunter safety class. Adult companions may not possess a firearm during the hunt.

All state wildlife areas normally open for hunting during the regular turkey season are also open for the youth/non-ambulatory hunters with disabilities' turkey hunt. However, all state forest lands that are open during the regular turkey season will be closed for the special hunt – these include Redden State Forest, Blackbird State Forest and Taber State Forest.

No special turkey hunting permits are required for hunting on state wildlife areas on this day. Areas are open on a first-come, first-serve basis with no registration required.

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. Bag limit is one bearded bird per year; birds without beards may not be taken.

Delaware’s regular spring turkey hunting season opens on Saturday, April 13 and runs through Saturday, May 11.

For more information, please contact Matt DiBona, Wildlife Section, at 302-735-3600, or visit www.fw.delaware.gov.