Special youth turkey hunt weekend begins on April 29

A New Hampshire youngster displays his trophy gobbler. (NHFG photo/Courtesy)

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's 2017 youth turkey hunt is coming up on Saturday/Sunday April 29-30, the weekend before spring gobbler season gets under way on May 3.

To take part in the youth weekend, 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 New Hampshire hunting or archery license and a turkey permit.

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 exploring the natural world.

See short video about turkey hunting in New Hampshire -- and find more information -- at www.huntnh.com/hunting/turkey.html.

Fish and Game urges all turkey hunters to memorize the following list of 10 safety guidelines:

1. Never stalk a turkey. It rarely works and it increases the risk of an accident.
2. Never wear red, white, blue or black over or under-clothing, as these are prominent colors of displaying gobblers.
3. Never call from a tree that is thinner than the width of your shoulders.
4. Never jump or turn suddenly in response to a suspected turkey.
5. Never call from a site where you can't see at least 40 yards in all directions.
6. Never imitate a gobbler call while concealed in a stand.
7. Never presume that what you hear or what responds to your call is a turkey.
8. Never think that your camouflage makes you totally invisible. To ID yourself to other hunters, wrap an orange band around the tree nearest you.
9. Never hide so well that you can't see what's happening around you.
10. Never move or wave to alert approaching hunters; shout "stop" instead.