Take a Kid Hunting on Youth Turkey Weekend

New Hampshire's 2008 youth turkey hunt will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, 2008, the weekend before spring gobbler season gets underway on May 3. This year marks the fifth annual youth turkey hunt weekend in New Hampshire. During the 2007 youth weekend, young hunters took 454 turkeys, or 12.4% of the total season harvest, about the same percentage harvested during 2006 youth weekend.

To participate in the special weekend turkey hunt, youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. The adult may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow. Youth hunters do not need a hunting license, but they must have a valid turkey permit ($16 resident, $31 nonresident). Accompanying adults must hold either a current N.H. hunting or archery license AND a turkey permit. Go to the Fish and Game website to buy a license online.

The special weekend provides youth and mentoring adults a quiet, noncompetitive time in the woods, where they can focus on safety, ethics, hunting methods and natural science.

"We take great pride and satisfaction in providing young people and mentoring adults with the opportunity to learn safe hunting practices, to put lean, healthy, organic food on their family table, and to enjoy the spellbinding wonders of New Hampshire's spring woodlands," said Mark Ellingwood, wildlife programs administrator for Fish and Game. "Youth weekend is a great opportunity for an adult and child to spend time together without the distraction of cell phones, DVD players, computers and cable TV. It's an adventure that pits your skills and knowledge against a million years of evolved turkey wariness and it's a sure-fire way to build bonds that will last a lifetime."

In addition to their special weekend, youth can hunt during the regular spring gobbler season (May 3-31), when accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older (a valid turkey permit is required).

Hunter education is not required for youth hunters under age 16. Youth are encouraged to complete the hunter education course between the age of 12 and their 16th birthday. A list of available hunter education courses is posted on the Fish and Game website; click here for the current course schedule. Hunter education classes are made possible by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.

http://www.huntnh.com