04-15-2008, 12:51 AM
North Dakota's spring turkey season opens Saturday, April 12 at 30 minutes before sunrise and continues through May 18.
Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department, said turkeys occupy all areas of the state containing good habitat, and in many instances, are even found in areas of marginal turkey habitat by surviving in secondary cover.
"Numbers may have started to level off in the central and eastern prairie units after several years of continuous growth," Kohn said. "Some areas of the south central and southwestern portions of the state have showed poor reproductive success since 2004, but reproduction did improve some in 2007. Overall, turkey numbers in the western portion of the state remain strong."
Licenses are still available in three units for those who have not received a spring turkey license. First-come, first-served licenses remain in units 06, Bowman County; 15, Emmons County; and 45, Stark County. Hunters who do not have a license can apply online at the Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov, or call 328-6300 to request an application. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.
Hunters who were successful in drawing a turkey license are reminded they must also have a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate, and a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a small game license, or a combination license.
Hunters can use either their 2007-08 hunting licenses from last fall, or purchase those licenses for the 2008-09 hunting season.
Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department, said turkeys occupy all areas of the state containing good habitat, and in many instances, are even found in areas of marginal turkey habitat by surviving in secondary cover.
"Numbers may have started to level off in the central and eastern prairie units after several years of continuous growth," Kohn said. "Some areas of the south central and southwestern portions of the state have showed poor reproductive success since 2004, but reproduction did improve some in 2007. Overall, turkey numbers in the western portion of the state remain strong."
Licenses are still available in three units for those who have not received a spring turkey license. First-come, first-served licenses remain in units 06, Bowman County; 15, Emmons County; and 45, Stark County. Hunters who do not have a license can apply online at the Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov, or call 328-6300 to request an application. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.
Hunters who were successful in drawing a turkey license are reminded they must also have a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate, and a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a small game license, or a combination license.
Hunters can use either their 2007-08 hunting licenses from last fall, or purchase those licenses for the 2008-09 hunting season.