Many changes for the 2011 Spring Season Application Process

[DonBo]

Turkey hunters have more time this year than they have traditionally had in the past to apply for this spring’s hunt, either electronically or by telephone. The deadline to apply for the 2011 spring season has been extended by about two weeks. Applications are now being accepted through Friday, Jan. 14, wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, and online.

Also new this year: the youth application process is eliminated, and over-the-counter only permits will be available for the hunt’s last two time periods.

“The spring turkey application deadline tends to sneak up on hunters,” said Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program leader. “Although we’ve allowed additional time this year, we still encourage hunters to apply early and avoid the last-minute rush.”

This spring’s hunt will consist of six five-day and two seven-day seasons. All resident and nonresident wild turkey hunters interested in hunting this spring must apply electronically via the Internet, or by telephone toll-free at (888) 665-4236 (MNLICENSE). Resident hunters must pay a nonrefundable $3 application fee at the time of application while nonresidents must pay a nonrefundable $3.50 transaction fee.

Key changes include:

Licenses for the last two time periods will be sold over-the-counter only;

Hunters no longer must indicate a second choice of season on the application; and

Youth 17 and younger by April 13, 2011, are not eligible to participate in the lottery and should purchase a license for the season of their choice over-the-counter.

“Hunters are strongly encouraged to read the application materials before applying for the lottery,” Penning said. “We want them to be aware of all the changes made to the application process.”

Hunters who are successful for in the drawing and choose not to purchase a tag will lose the current year’s preference point for future drawings, but not accumulated preference from past years. Hunters who were not successful in the drawing will be eligible to purchase surplus turkey permits. These are sold, on a first-come, first-served basis in mid March.

Archery spring turkey licenses will once again be available for residents and nonresidents and may be purchased for the last two time periods only.

All wild turkey hunters seeking to hunt in spring 2011 may obtain an application information sheet at DNR license agents or view hunt information online.

Hunt information materials include a map of wild turkey permit areas, permit quotas, dates and information on changes.

For more information, call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free in greater Minnesota at 888-646-6367.

[Scott M]

Loving the changes. Things are getting better and better with each year; if you want to hunt them you get your chance it seems.

[sticknstring]

Other than a later application deadline and making the last two time periods OTC only, nothing drastically new - correct? Now we just need to have an early archery season like some other states and it'll be perfect!

[DanOmite19]

Now we just need to have an early archery season like some other states and it'll be perfect!

+1

[Archerysniper]

Other than a later application deadline and making the last two time periods OTC only, nothing drastically new - correct? Now we just need to have an early archery season like some other states and it'll be perfect!

+1000 move the archery into the normal first week and that would be great.

[Jameson]

Now we just need to have an early archery season like some other states and it'll be perfect!

-1

Separating hunters into groups by tool used is terrible, particularly when one group is given an opportunity before another group.

[sticknstring]

Are you implying that archery deer season should coincide with the firearm season? I wonder why it is that all states have big game archery seasons that open prior to firearms season. It surely can't be that terrible can it?

MN currently offers the opporunity for bowhunters to hunt the last two time periods with tags being OTC. Why is that? Surely the method of difficulty is a factor. With turkey populations surging across the state, I don't think it's any surprise guys are hopeful of an earlier season where opportunity of success would be higher. With the percentage of hunters who hunt turkeys with archery tackle, I don't see this becoming an issue. Especially if the population continues to grow.

[Powerstroke]

The success rate for archery hunters is 3%. Doesn;t sound luck much of a threat except that the couple hundred hunters who do it might educate the birds a little, but not much more than the number of newbies who go out and call to the birds before season to "practice".

Sounds more like people feel like they are getting screwed because the "bowhunters always get to hunt first". I say try it out if you think we got it easy.

[Hoyt4]

Would love to have an early archery season.You could start one week earlier.

I hunt NE archery only for the first part of the season it's great.You get more access across the board because no one really does it.You could hit public woods with less chances of bumping another hunter.Would be great.