Youth Turkey Season Could Open In The Rain

Weather could play a factor in the first few hours of Georgia’s Youth Turkey season, which opens Saturday morning, March 25. According to the National Weather Service, a round of rain is scheduled to roll through Georgia during the first part of Saturday before clearing out for the afternoon. Smaller chances or rain return for Sunday afternoon.

Rain or shine, the two-day Special Opportunity Turkey Season will happen March 25-26 on private lands. The season is for youth 16 years of age and younger, or hunters who are mobility impaired (i.e. confined to a wheelchair, hemiplegia, monoplegia, paraplegia, or single-leg amputation above the knee). Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) who may call for turkey but may not take or attempt to take a turkey.

GON freelancer writer Donald Devereaux Jarrett says a rainy start certainly doesn’t mean young hunters won’t have the chance on an early score.

“On a rainy day several years ago, I was hunting a particular bird that was hanging around in the field because he felt safer there than in the noisy wooded area,” said Donald. “While he fed along in the field, he seemed to have no interest in my calling. He would give an occasional glance in my direction, but that was it. I actually stuck with him long enough that I saw his mood change.

“When the rain stopped and the sun popped out he turned into turkey Casanova. His wet, matted feathers made for some ugly pictures, but I was no less happy about taking him home with me.

“I believe when the rain stopped and the sun came out, he settled down a bit, relaxed and got back to the business of tending hens. The first call I made when the sun began to shine was answered by a volley of gobbles. This was a case of watching the bird’s mood change and taking advantage of it. A few yelps did the trick.

“Gobblers are like people, they have different moods. What makes a good turkey hunter is the ability to read a gobbler’s mood and then selecting the right call that’ll bring him to the gun.”

The Right Turkey Call, For The Right Turkey Mood

The season bag limit for turkeys is one gobbler per hunter per day, and a season total of two gobblers.

According to a recent WRD press release, “All turkey hunters, including those under 16 years of age, landowners, honorary, lifetime, and sportsman license holders, must obtain a free harvest record each season.  Before moving a harvested turkey, hunters are required to immediately enter the date and county on the harvest record, and within 24 hours, must complete the reporting process through Georgia Game Check.  More information at GeorgiaWildlife.com/HarvestRecordGeorgiaGameCheck.

“Resident youth hunters under age 16 will not need a license.  Hunters age 16 years or older (including those accompanying youth or others) will need a hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on their own private land.  Get your license at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com,  at a retail license vendor or by phone at 1-800-366-2661.”

The 2023 Georgia statewide turkey season opens Saturday, April 1 on private land and Saturday, April 8 on public lands). For more information, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/turkey-info.https://gon.com/recipes/wild-in-the-kitchen-bbq-turkey-sliders.

Wild In The Kitchen: BBQ Turkey Sliders