Tom Turkey
photo by Paul J. Fusco
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds hunters that the 2010 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 28 to May 29. In addition to the regular season, there are two special Saturdays, April 17 and 24, which provide an opportunity for youth hunters to learn safe and effective wild turkey hunting techniques. On these days, licensed junior hunters (ages 12-15) with a valid spring season turkey permit can hunt while accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. The mentor may not carry a firearm, and juniors may hunt any state land open to turkey hunting or private land where they have obtained written consent of the landowner.
This year will mark the 30th consecutive year that sportsmen have hunted turkeys in Connecticut. The statewide turkey population is estimated at approximately 35,000 birds. Healthy and numerous wild turkey populations exist throughout the majority of Connecticut’s woodlands. Last spring, 7,376 hunters took 1,502 bearded turkeys.
During the 2010 spring season, two bearded turkeys may be taken on state land and three on private land. Hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until noon each day; except on the designated junior hunter training days when the hunting hours have been extended until 5:00 PM.
New Tagging and Reporting Requirements: All harvested turkeys must be tagged immediately and reported to the DEP on-line www.ct.gov/dep/hunting or by phone 1.877.337.4868 within 24 hours. Hunters must use 2010 Kill Tags to record information about turkeys they harvest. After reporting their kill via the internet or by telephone, hunters will be given a confirmation number to write on their Kill Tag. This confirmation number serves as proof that the kill was legally reported.
