Spring turkey season opens this Saturday

By Melinda L. Lucas

Hunters in Shackelford County can look forward to a better than average spring turkey season.

The spring season for the north zone, where Shackelford County falls, starts this weekend on March 29, and the outlook is pretty bright, according to local game warden Jacob Mort.

“The numbers look really good compared to the past few years,” Mort said. “I’m seeing a lot more birds, and I think everyone can expect a good spring.”

There was a youth-only season March 22-23, but Mort didn’t see any hunters out and about.

“I think the youth hunters are pretty busy with spring sports and other activities, but I’m looking for a lot of hunters to be out this weekend,” he said.

The game warden reminded hunters that spring season is only for gobblers or bearded hens, and that hunters must be licensed and have an Upland Game Bird Endorsement. All turkey must be tagged with a tag from the hunter’s license immediately upon harvest, and in a secure manner anywhere on the turkey. Hunters in possession of a digital license and tags need to comply with special tagging instructions.

“The annual bag limit is four, and that includes the fall and the spring,” Mort said.

Mandatory harvest reporting within 24 hours of harvest is now required for all wild turkeys in all counties using an app or online.

The season in the North Zone opens Saturday, March 29 and runs to Sunday, May 11.

Youth 16 and younger will be given a second exclusive weekend May 17-18.