Get Your Kids Into Turkey Hunting This Weekend

The Youth Hunt for Wild Turkey is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, 2012. This special weekend has been set up by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to allow young hunters between the ages of 12 and 15 to spend some time afield with experienced adult hunters to acquire the skills and knowledge to become responsible turkey hunters. Speaking from my own personal experience, this is a perfect way to spend time with a junior hunter and get him or her hooked on turkey hunting. I took my son on the Youth Hunt for Wild Turkey back in 2007. We were hunting in Caneadea, NY and I remember it like it was yesterday. It was eight days before my son's 14 birthday. We called in a beautiful bird and Tyler was able to harvest the jake with a perfectly placed shot. To this day, it is one of the most beautiful memories of my life. That day ranks right up there with getting married and the birth of my children. I encourage any and all turkey hunters out there to take a junior hunter out for turkey hunting this weekend. Even if you don't harvest a bird, you will create a fantastic memory not only for you, but for the young person you spend the time with. Good luck this weekend and please be safe. If you do harvest a bird, please email me your photos. Find out more about the Youth Hunt for Wild Turkey by visiting this link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27836.html