Photo by James Monteleone The Eastern Wild Turkey population of Western New York is growing and the early, special New York state youth turkey hunting tradition is coming up this weekend. The regular season will run May 1-31.

The annual New York State Youth Wild Turkey Hunt is happening this weekend and it offers more than just a chance to harvest a bird — it serves as a vital introduction to the traditions, responsibilities and safety practices that define ethical hunting for our youth hunters.

Open to young hunters 12-15 years old, the special two-day season is carefully structured to provide a controlled, educational environment where certified hunter beginners can learn directly from experienced certified adults while building confidence in the field.

At its core, the youth hunt emphasizes firearm safety above all else. Every participant must be properly licensed (complete a hunter-safety training course and purchase a hunting license) and permitted (NYS turkey stamp), and each youth hunter is required by law to be accompanied by a qualified adult (mentor with a hunting license and permit). For younger participants, ages 12 and 13, that means a parent, legal guardian, or an adult over 21 with written permission. Those 14 and 15 may hunt with an adult 18 or older, again with parental consent.

These guidelines ensure that no young hunter is ever alone, reinforcing constant supervision and real-time instruction. Importantly, the accompanying adult plays the role of mentor — not the fellow hunter. While they may assist by calling turkeys or offering guidance, mentors are not permitted to carry a firearm or attempt to harvest a bird during the youth hunt. This keeps the focus squarely on the young hunter’s experience, decision-making, and safe handling of equipment. It’s a deliberate design that fosters independence and self-reliance training while maintaining strong focus on safety.

This youth hunt itself takes place many days ahead of the regular New York State spring turkey season (May 1-31), giving youth hunters a quieter, less competitive environment. With shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise until noon, young hunters learn to operate with clearly defined legal and ethical boundaries. The bag limit — one bearded bird — also reinforces restraint and respect for wildlife, with that harvest counting toward the regular season limit of two birds.

Beyond the mechanics of hunting, the program highlights the importance of mentorship. Time spent in the field becomes an opportunity for seasoned hunters to pass down readiness skills, values, patience, situational awareness, turkey calling secrets, and respect for nature. These shared experiences leave lasting impressions, strengthening family bonds and complimenting the broader hunting community.

Equally critical, though sometimes overlooked, is the emphasis on health and environmental awareness, particularly protection against ticks and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Spring turkey season coincides with peak tick activity in Western New York. If you are heading to the woods, PLEASE make time for tick-preventive measures, right now this is essential. Anyone headed for the WNY woods is strongly encouraged to treat clothing with permethrin for exterior clothes and boots, and use picaridin-based repellents on exposed skin. These precautions, along with routine tick checks after time outdoors, are simple but effective ways to ensure that a positive hunting experience isn’t overshadowed by preventable health risks. The permethrin coated clothes are good for six washings and are scent free.

In many ways, the youth wild turkey hunt represents the future of hunting itself. It’s all about priority for safety, education, and mentorship to help cultivate a new generation of responsible outdoors men and women. The stories and photographs that emerge each year are more than keepsakes, they are evidence of a tradition being thoughtfully passed on, one young hunter at a time.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

April 21: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

April 21: Erie County Fish Advisory Board, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., Bison City Rod and Gun Club, 511 Ohio St., Buffalo.

April 23: State of Lake Erie, DEC public meeting, 6-9:30 p.m., Woodlawn Beach State Park, Blasdell.

April 23: Erie County Federation of Sportsmen, monthly meeting, West Falls Conservation Club, 55 Bridge St., West Falls, 7 p.m. start. Free. Open to the public.

April 25-26: NYS Youth Turkey hunting Weekend, for youth hunters 12-15 years of age with licensed mentor adult; hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise through noon. Visit dec.ny.gov.

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Submit calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com at least 10 days in advance.