Dilemma?

[Rippinlip]

I drew a season "B" turkey permit to hunt, but I am leaving for Big Stone on the 20th for opener and getting back the 23rd. My turkey season starts the 23rd and goes to the 27th.

Do I still go turkey hunting, (I have been scouting and seeing plenty of birds, or do I pass, keep my preference, bow hunt for them this year and re-apply for an earlier season next year? To much to do, this does not include working almost every day of the week.

Man do i need a vacation.

Maybe I just answered my own question.

By the way, reading thru the turkey regulations, if I decide to hunt with a bow, do I get to hunt BOTH of the Final seasons?

Thanks

Mark

[LABS4ME]

I think you lose your prefernce points once you draw a permit, even if you do not buy it... correct me if I'm wrong.

Also it is my understanding you may only hold one license for one season in Minnesota. So you would not be able to hunt both late seasons with your bow...

Most of these answers will be on the DNR HSOforum, under turkey hunting.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Rippinlip]

I think the reads is, if you do not purchase your liscense for that season you keep your preference for your drawings. Bow hunting you may buy a permit if the area has over 50 permits per season. But it does not state wheather you get one or both seasons to hunt.

[LABS4ME]

I based my point preference answer on this...

Licenses are made available by a drawing based on a system of preference. A hunter's preference level is determined by the number of years s/he has submitted valid but unsuccessful applications since last receiving a license.

and this:

Each year that you apply for a license and don't get drawn for one, you earn a preference point until you are drawn. If you are a first-year applicant or a previous-year winner, you are a preference level 1. The higher your preference level, the better chance of getting a license. For example, a preference level 2 has a better chance of getting a license than a preference level 1. Group preference works the same way. Some of our lottery drawings you can apply for as a group, such as this one; your group's preference is the same as the preference of the member with the lowest preference level

and then this:

Lottery applicants that are successful in the 2007 spring turkey lottery will not be eligible to purchase an archery spring turkey license.

and I read this as only being able to have the ability to hold one license...

Applications may be made for only one of the wild turkey permit areas (see map) and only one of the eight time periods.

I guess that's my interpretation...

Good Luck!

Ken

[Guppy]

Since you were drawn for a permit, your elegibilty for next year will be back to the lowest preference level whether you purchase your license or not. Also, since you were drawn for a license this year, you are not eligible to purchase a bow license this year. So to answer your question, your only option is to hunt the season you were drawn for! For those who can purchase a bow license, it is valid for each of the last two seasons(14 days total) and is valid in any zone that has at least 50 permits available.

[Guppy]

I rechecked the DNR regs and I was wrong about the preference points. If you choose not to purchase a license this year, you will not get a preference point this year, but you won't lose any points accumulated from other years. But you are still not eligible to buy an archery license.

[cw642]

However you read it doesn't change the fact that if you got drawn you should lose all your points. By being drawn you take a spot that someone else could have drawn and hunted. I guess if you are sick or a family emergancy I would understand. To not use a tag because you planed anouther trip, boy I feel real sorry for you.

[Gordie]

Rippinlip to answer your first question YES! I to am going to big stone but only for one day then I'm going to hunt B Buy the liesence you wont regret it.

[Rippinlip]

Wow,

Reason seems to be mis-understood.

Have to realize I booked my trip before I found out I had pulled a permit.

Did not know that I could not purchase a bow permit if I drew another time zone. I did know I could only have ONE.

Not to worry gentlemen, I am going Zone B now, did not mean to ruffle anyones feathers. Just going to be a real busy week and a half.

[Borch]

That kind of busy is good.