Minnesota DNR, NWTF Mentored Women’s Turkey Applications Due Feb. 19
First-time adult women turkey hunters have the chance to step afield this spring and learn from an experienced National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) volunteer.
Women are encouraged to sign-up with an adult friend or family member for an on-the-ground adventure in wild turkey hunting. An application and general information for the mid-May wild turkey hunt is available at www.mndnr.gov/discover. The application deadline is midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Participants will be selected through a random lottery if oversubscribed.
“First-time women turkey hunters will learn life-long outdoor skills and how to be a responsible hunter,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Thanks to the NWTF, their outdoor coaches will help create family-oriented hunters.”
The program is based on the successful mentored youth hunts where 2,000 youth have been introduced during the last 10 years to this unique educational and hunting experience. With women being one of the fasting growing segments of the hunting society, the need is there.
Most hunts will occur Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at several locations in Hugo area (northeast of the metro), with some areas yet to be determined. Hunts include a mandatory turkey clinic leading up to an actual hunt. All participants will hunt on private land thanks to the generosity of private landowners and the NWTF volunteers who obtained permission.
To be eligible, a women hunter must be 18 on or before Saturday, May 18. All participants must possess a valid firearms safety certificate; purchase an apprentice hunter validation; or be born before Dec. 13, 1979. The program is for first-time turkey hunters or with very limited experience (preference given to first-time hunters). Participants will be assigned a NWTF volunteer coach, who must accompany them throughout the entire hunt.
Participation in the hunts is only restricted by the number of volunteers and private lands that are available. Property owners, who have an interest in providing a quality experience in turkey hunting, or NWTF members who could share their hunting expertise, should contact Keith Carlson at: kcanoka@comcast.net for information about lending some land or a hand.
