The spring gobbler turkey season will open on May 1 and last throughout the month of May. Turkey hunters are allowed to take two bearded birds but not on the same day. The youth turkey hunting weekend is scheduled to open on Saturday April 25 and end on Sunday April 26. This special youth hunting weekend allows junior hunters ages 12-15 to go afield with a mentor before the regular turkey season starts and hopefully can take a bearded turkey.

Unfortunately things won't be the same and simple as in past years. Because of the COVID-19 virus, a number of mentor programs that prepare young hunters for the youth hunt, pairs them with mentors, have been cancelled this spring. To top it off, hunter education classes also have been cancelled because of the virus crisis.

It is also expected that this year's youth/mentor partnerships will consist of immediate relatives rather than other people paired in mentor programs. This is because of state and federal health guidelines regarding the virus, which requires individuals to practice social distancing.

Youth hunters and their mentors usually share hunting blinds or sit closely with their backs against a tree during the hunt, and they often travel in the same vehicle to their hunting location. All these factors are of concerns that may affect this year's youth hunt.

DEC regulations state that young hunters ages 12 and 13 must be accompanied by either a parent, legal guardian or a person over 21 years of age who has written permission from the parent or legal guardian. Youths 14 and 15 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or a person over 18 years of age who also has written permission from a parent or legal guardian.

The adult mentor must have a valid hunting license and a turkey hunting permit. The mentor can assist the youth hunter, such as calling in turkeys but can not carry a hunting weapon. The bag limit for the youth hunt is one bearded turkey and if successful the turkey becomes part of the youth's regular bag limit of two bearded turkeys during the regular turkey season.

DEC says on average 6 to 8 thousand junior hunters typically participate in the youth spring mentor turkey hunt, harvesting an average of 1,500 to 2,000 turkeys annually.

Jack Danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.