Talkin’ Turkey
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Juniors-only spring turkey over-the-counter nonpermit-tags can be purchased at any department office or license dealer. The cost is $10.
Hunters younger than 14 are required to complete a certified
hunter education course prior to the hunt.
The season for bearded turkey only runs from April 17 – May 21, opening a week earlier than the general season.
Open areas include Units 1, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B (except Camp Navajo), 7, 8, 10, 12A, 23 and 27.
To assist new hunters, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be hosting a turkey hunting camp to offer tips, a warm drink or just a place to brag about their hunt.
Additionally, a how-to hunt turkey will be hosted at a department office for all those that are interested.
Dates, times and locations will be announced on the department Web site at www.azgfd.gov/otc.
Did you know Arizona has three subspecies of wild turkey?
1. Merriam’s
2. Gould’s
3. Rio Grande’s
Good luck young hunters!
I am not very happy about the over the counter tags being issued to juniors. I have lived in Arizona my whole life and have always enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. I aquired the right to hunt big game like the rest of us by entering the draw. Now I have to compete for the same birds with ANY teen, under the age of 17, whos dad or mom decides to take with them. I think the opportunity for abuse by parents with eligible teens is a real threat. What ever happened to parents helping their kids to enjoy the outdoor sports? Why is the Game and Fish supporting a program that gives destinct advantage to those other than the hunters who wait to be drawn every year? Those same hunters will see their chance to possess a bag limit dwindle away as early taking of game and lower available birds will reduce the chance for success. I understand why the Game and Fish is sponsoring this new program. I just wonder if they realize that I am losing my desire to hunt big game in Arizona as it is increasingly not worth the effort when the odds are stacked against you.
Don, thank you for your comment. This is a great time to voice your concerns.
The department is in the process of updating the Hunt Guidelines, the tool used for setting hunt recommendations for the next two years.
To submit your comment, go to:
http://www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines
Thank you.
I WANT TO THANK THE GAME AND FISH FOR MAKING THESE JUNIORS HUNT AVAIABLE FOR THE KIDS.I DID NOT EVEN APPLY FOR A TURKEY PERMIT THIS SPRING SO I COULD TAKE MY SON AND WATCH HIM HUNT THIS SPRING.WHEN WE WENT WE HAD A GREAT TIME EVEN THOUGH WE HAVENT GOTTEN ONE YET BUT WE ARE STILL TRYING.KEEP THOSE JUNIOR HUNTS GOING FOR THE KIDS I THINK THEY ARE GREAT.I SUPP ORT THE GAME AND FISH 100 PERCENT FOR THESE KIDS HUNT.
Great deal louie! Now why can’t you take your kid with you when you hunt? Does it take him having a tag to peak you interest enough to involve him?
Don – Learn to shoot a bow and you can buy an OTC tag just like the juniors. The kids are the future of hunting. My older (14 and 16) two have been going with us for as long as I can remember and my baby goes on scouting trips, but it still too young for the hunts. As long as she expresses an interest as soon as she is old enough,she will be out there too. I was alone with my son on his junior cow elk hunt and I was so proud of him when he took his first elk. It wasn’t the “kill” I was most proud of but how he handled himself, the prayer he said for his elk, and how he handled himself as a 12 yo young man. He has hunted turkey OTC with a bow, but missed a shot by about an inch. I’m not sure what the success rate is for junior hunts, but the most important part of a junior hunt is getting the child out in the field with 100% of their parent’s attention. Game and Fish,keep up the junior hunts. They are extremely valuable with helping to teach our kids the love of nature.