Youth and archery seasons added to regular spring season

In 2007, Kansas turkey hunters will enjoy the longest spring turkey season ever. With the addition of an archery-only season, April 1-10, Kansas hunters will be able to hunt for two full months.

As the Kansas spring turkey hunting seasons approach, hunters across the state are honing calling skills, patterning shotguns, and breaking out camo gear and hen decoys. In addition, several events designed for youth, disabled, women, and novice hunters are scheduled before and during the regular season. (Contact the nearest office of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for more information on events that may be planned in your area.)

For those required to have hunter education but have yet to take a course, time is running short. A list of certified courses conducted by KDWP may be found on the agency's website. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must successfully complete an approved course in hunter education before hunting in Kansas with the following exception: hunters 15 years old and younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under direct supervision of an adult 18 or older.

Spring turkey hunting is a safe and exciting way to get youngsters involved in hunting. The Kansas youth spring turkey season runs April 6-8; the regular season opens April 11 and runs through May 31; and for the first time, archery hunters have their own spring season, running April 1-10. The accompanying adult may not hunt during the April 6-8 youth season. No hunting license is required for resident hunters 15 and younger, but a valid Kansas turkey permit is required.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Legal equipment includes long, recurve, and compound bows; shotguns; and muzzleloading shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Legal shotgun shot sizes are 2 through 9. Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is eligible for one second turkey game tag, but spring game tags are valid for units 2 and 3 only.

A resident turkey permit costs $22.15, and a nonresident permit is $32.15. A second turkey game tag (valid in units 2 and 3) may be purchased at a cost of $12.15 for residents and $22.15 for nonresidents. All nonresidents, and any resident older than 15 or younger than 65, must have a valid Kansas hunting license, as well.
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