In many areas, some Big Game Seasons are still open but the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish (NDDGF) is letting us know that Spring Gobbler Season is right around the corner! Yikes…are we that close to spring already? Someone must have blinked.
Never the less, NDDGF is offering 5,795 wild turkey licenses for the spring hunting season, a decrease of 925 from last year. The decrease is a result of additional winter mortality the last three years and poor production during spring 2011.
NDDGF advises that ten of the 22 hunting units have fewer spring licenses than in 2011, while 11 remain the same. Unit 21 (most of Hettinger and Adams counties) is again closed in 2012 due to lack of turkeys in the unit.
Winter mortality has been high this year in some areas of the country, but in other areas, the winter was and/or is still mild. However, the loss of wildlife because of snow, freezing conditions and lack of food is real.
NDDGF says that successful spring turkey applicants must purchase a 2012-13 hunting license, because last year’s 2011-12 licenses expire March 31. In addition to the spring turkey license, hunters must have a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate, and a general game and habitat license. Also, hunters ages 16 and older must possess a small game license, or combination license.
Spring turkey applicants can apply onlineat the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Applications can also be submitted by calling (800) 406-6409.
Spring turkey licenses are available only to North Dakota residents. The spring turkey season opens April 14 and continues through May 20.
