Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend April 25-26, Ages 12-15

April 22, 2026

DEC Announces Annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend April 25-26

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced DEC's annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place April 25-26. The youth turkey hunt, for junior hunters ages 12-15, is open across upstate New York and Suffolk County.

“Connecting young hunters with adult mentors provides a chance to teach the next generation about safety, ethics, and outdoor appreciation,” DEC’s Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources Katharine Petronis said. “The youth hunt is another great opportunity to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ by spending quality time connecting with nature.”

Important Details for the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 25 and 26

• Hunters 12-15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit.
• Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
• The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
• The youth turkey hunt is open in all upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, and across Suffolk County.
• The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1.
• Junior hunters may not use rifles or handguns. Junior hunters may hunt with a shotgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 9, or with a bow. Fourteen- and fifteen-year-old hunters may also use a crossbow.
• All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect. DEC Continues to Encourage Hunter Safety

Statistics show that hunting in New York State is safer than ever.  Hunting-related shooting incidents are easily prevented by following the four basics of firearm safety:

• Always point your firearm in a safe direction.
• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
• Be sure of your target and beyond.

• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  DEC also encourages hunters to practice these specific safety behaviors when hunting spring turkeys:

• Don't wear red, white, blue, or black;

• Never stalk turkeys; and

• If you see or hear another hunter, shout and use your words. Don't try to signal or wave to get their attention.
  For more information on the youth hunt for wild turkey visit DEC’s website.

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