§ 22 - Turkey seasons, Regulation #1007
§ 22. Turkey seasons, Regulation #1007 TITLE 10AConservation and Development 4 APPENDIXCHAPTER 1. GAMESubchapter II. Birds
§ 22. Turkey seasons, Regulation #1007
1.0 Authority
This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081(a). In adopting this rule, the Fish and Wildlife Board is following the policy established by the General Assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.
In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population and utilization levels of the turkey flock.
The Board's authority to establish open seasons for game; to establish daily, season and possession limits for game, territorial limits; to prescribe the manner and means of taking; to establish territorial limits for the taking of turkeys; and to establish restrictions on taking based upon sex, maturity or other physical distinction of the species is found at 10 V.S.A. § 4084(a).
This rule shall apply to the taking of turkeys.
2.0 Purpose The purpose of this regulation is to establish seasons for the taking of turkeys, to establish open Wildlife Management Units (WMU's) for the taking of turkeys, to establish methods of taking turkeys and to establish limits on the number of turkeys to be taken.
3.0 Spring Season
(1) Dates: May 1, through May 31, inclusive.
(2) Shooting hours: One half hour before sunrise to twelve noon.
(3) Legal turkey: Only wild turkeys with beards.
(4) Bag Limit: Two bearded wild turkeys per person per season.
(5) Spring hunting zone open: WMU's A, B, C, D1, D2, E, F1, F2, G, H1, H2, I, J1, J2, K1, K2, L, M1, M2, N, O1, O2, P and Q. (WMU's specified in Regulation #912).
4.0 Fall Season.
(1) Dates and Open WMU's. The WMU's are as defined by Regulation #912:
(a) Bow and Arrow only: From the 1st Saturday in October to the beginning of the shotgun/bow and arrow season. WMU's F1, F2, G, H1, H2, I, J1, J2, K1, K2, L, M1, M2, N, O1, O2, P and Q.
(b) Bow and Arrow only: For seven consecutive days beginning twenty-one days prior to the regular deer season; inclusive. WMU H1.
(c) Seven day Shotgun/Bow & Arrow Season: For seven consecutive days beginning twenty-one days prior to the regular deer season, inclusive. WMU's G, H2, I, J1, J2, L, M1, M2, O1, O2, P and Q.
(d) Sixteen day Shotgun/Bow & Arrow Season: For sixteen consecutive days beginning twenty one days prior to the regular deer season, inclusive, WMU's F1, F2, K1, K2 and N.
(2) Shooting hours: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
(3) Legal Turkey: Any wild turkey.
(4) Bag limit: One turkey per person per Fall.
5.0 Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend
(1) The Saturday and Sunday prior to opening day of spring turkey season shall be youth turkey hunting weekend.
(2) Legal Turkey: Only bearded turkeys may be taken.
(3) Bag limit: One bearded turkey per youth. A youth may also hunt during the spring season and take two bearded turkeys during that season.
(4) Shooting hours: One half hour before sunrise to twelve noon.
6.0 Legal Method of Taking:
(1) Only a shotgun or bow and arrow may be used.
(2) Only number 2 through number 8 shot shall be used or possessed.
(3) An arrowhead must be at least 7/8th of an inch in width and have two or more cutting edges.
(4) Rifles and handguns shall not be used or carried by any person while hunting turkeys.
(5) No person shall use dogs in the spring, nor electronic calling devices, bait, live decoys, or participate in cooperative drives during either season. (1982, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 938, §§ 1-3, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; amended 1983, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 13, 1984; 1985, Fish and Wildlife Board Regs. No. 956, eff. March 7, 1985; No. 957, eff. July 5, 1985; 1987, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 957, eff. Jan. 1, 1987; 1988, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 974, eff. April 12, 1988; 1990, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 981, eff. April 27, 1990; 1992, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 981, eff. November 14, 1992; 1993, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 996, eff. April 22, 1993; 1993, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. in subsec. (E) 1007, eff. Feb. 13, 1994; 1998, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1007, eff. April 3, 1998; 1999, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1007, eff. Feb. 17, 1999; 2002, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1007, eff. Aug. 3, 2002; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1007a, eff. Feb. 12, 2003, 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1007, eff. March 5, 2004.)