Deadline March 30 for $7.50 savings
PRATT — The 2010 spring turkey season kicks off April 1 with the youth, archery, and disabled season April 1-13, followed by the regular season, which runs April 14-May 31. Hunters looking for a bargain can find it in the turkey permit/game tag combination, available through March 30 at a reduced price. By purchasing the combination early, hunters save $7.50 over the cost of purchasing each separately after March 30.

Turkey permits for units 1, 2, and 3 may be purchased online from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or from license vendors across the state. In addition, hunters may apply online for resident-only, limited-draw permits in Unit 4 (southwest Kansas). A total of 325 permits will be issued for Unit 4. Fifty percent of these permits are reserved for applicants who qualify as landowner/tenants in that unit. Applications for Unit 4 permits must be received online or by phone at 620-672-0728 no later than Feb. 19. There will be no paper applications or mail-in forms for 2010. All draw applications must be submitted through the online application process or by phone.

In addition, any individual with a spring turkey permit may purchase one game tag valid only in Units 2 and 3. Game tags may be purchased throughout the season, but purchasing the permit/tag combo before March 30 is a smart choice for anyone considering taking two turkeys.

Turkey permits and tags allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. A new regulation change this year makes youth permits valid statewide, including Unit 4. Youth second turkey game tags are valid only in units 2 and 3.

Archery hunters, anyone 16 years old or younger, and those with disability permits may hunt April 1-13. (All youth must have an adult supervisor during the youth season.) Hunters younger than 16 are not required to have hunter education certification to hunt while they are supervised by a person 18 or older, but they must have a turkey permit. During the regular season, persons age 12 and older may hunt without adult supervision if they have completed a certified hunter education course. Hunter education certification may not be obtained until age 11, and all hunters younger than 12 must have adult supervision to hunt at any time. Hunters who are 16 must have a valid Kansas hunting license.

A Spring Turkey Atlas showing all public hunting lands and spring Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) lands will be available at KDWP offices and the KDWP website in late March.
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