2009 Spring Youth Wild Turkey Hunts

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Special Youth Turkey Hunts are operated in partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). They have three purposes:

1. They are intended to be educational experiences to teach new turkey hunters (both youth and their guardians) the skills and techniques to be life-long turkey hunters;
2. They provide first time turkey hunters a high-quality experience to help recruit them as hunters; and
3. They provide opportunities to access specific locations that may otherwise be closed to hunting, expanding hunter opportunity in general.

The 2009 special youth turkey hunts will take place April 18-19 on private land. Access has been provided through the generosity of landowners and the hard work of NWTF volunteers. Participating in this program is a special privilege. Please be respectful, ethical and safe hunters.

Eligibility

A youth must:

1. Be 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 years old by April 18, 2009;
2. Possess a Firearms Safety Certificate; and
3. Have a parent, guardian or adult authorized by a parent or guardian who will accompany the youth hunter to the pre-hunt clinic/orientation and the hunt.

A youth is ineligible if:

1. He or she does not meet the three criteria above;
2. He or she has ever participated in the spring youth turkey hunt; or
3. He or she has ever been selected by lottery for a Minnesota spring or fall wild turkey license, purchased a spring or fall surplus Minnesota wild turkey license or purchased a Minnesota spring or fall archery turkey license.

Youth who applied in the regular 2009 spring turkey lottery:

1. Before applying for the youth hunt, confirm that you have not been selected in the regular turkey lottery. Winners of the regular 2009 spring turkey lottery are not eligible to participate in the youth turkey hunt.
2. Regular 2009 spring turkey lottery winners will be notified by Feb. 15. Results also are available online. Unsuccessful youth applicants who meet all eligibility criteria may submit youth hunt applications by standard mail, fax or hand delivery until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23.

Firearms Safety

All spring youth turkey hunt participants must have completed firearm safety training before the day of the hunt.

The firearm safety class consists of a minimum of 12 hours of classroom and field experience in the safe handling of firearms and hunter responsibility. The field experience allows students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and the handling of firearms. It includes live fire on a rifle range.

Upon successful completion of this course, students receive a temporary certificate. This certificate will allow the bearer to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and other states where certification is required.

Duplicate firearms certificates are available through any DNR License agent or by calling 888.646.6367. The firearms endorsement can be listed on the back of a Minnesota driver's license or identification card upon renewal.

Firearms Safety Classes

Application & Waiver

• Individuals may only submit one application, and may apply for only one hunt.
• Clearly indicate the hunt for which you are applying by writing the Unit Number of the Hunt Area in the appropriate space.
• Legibly provide all of the data requested, including ID number, full name, date of birth, address, phone number and signature.
• An e-mail address is not required but it will enable the DNR to expedite the winner's notice.
• The application and waiver must be received my mail, fax or hand delivery by 4 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, 2009.

Application & Waiver? [5 pages | 300k]

Hunt Areas Map?

Important Information

• Eligible applicants will be selected by lottery on Feb. 25 and will be notified by mail or e-mail. Only winners will be notified. In the winner's notice there will be specific information about how and when to purchase your license at any DNR Electronic License System vendor.
• Each youth participant and his or her parent/guardian are required to attend an Advanced Hunter Education Turkey Clinic/Youth Hunt Orientation prior to the hunt. Details on those clinics will be provided in the winner's notice.
• Each hunter/guardian pair will be assigned a volunteer guide from the National Wild Turkey Federation. These guides will have access to the specific hunting location that you are assigned. The guide must accompany you and your parent or guardian at all times during the hunt including all time spent in the field.
• If any of the above conditions are unacceptable to you, do not apply for this special youth hunt.
• You will make arrangements with your guide to do any pre-season preparation, including scouting, pattern testing your shotgun, etc. The hunter/guardian pair is expected to be prepared with appropriate clothing, gear, firearms, etc. Do not assume that the volunteer guide will provide everything you need.

Contact Information

Mike "Cold Front" Kurre

• Mentoring Program
• Phone: 651.259.5193

Jay Johnson

• Hunter Recruitment & Retention
• Phone: 651.259.5191