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2019 Spring Wild Turkey Proclamation

Pursuant to North Dakota law and upon the recommendation of the North Dakota Game

and Fish Director, I hereby declare an open season for North Dakota residents for the taking of

not to exceed 6,032 bearded wild turkeys. Except as provided hereinafter or otherwise by law,

no person shall hunt, kill, take, possess, transport, or so attempt to hunt, kill, take, or possess any

Units season dates and unit

described on license.

HOURS OF HUNTING: are one-half (½) hour before sunrise to sunset.

2. ELIGIBILITY:

Only North Dakota residents are eligible. Licenses are issued by a weighted lottery drawing

among eligible applicants as prescribed by the Director. Individuals who are first-time youth

Licenses are issued by a weighted lottery drawing among eligible applicants. Licenses are issued

in the form of a tag.

Applications and Fees--Only one application may be submitted for the 2019 spring season, hence

a landowner may submit either a gratis or a lottery application, but not both. Applicants must

include the appropriate fee with their online application.

After the initial lottery, remaining licenses will be issued as prescribed by the Director, which

may allow individuals to obtain one additional license in select units.

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Other Licenses Required--To hunt wild turkey, all hunters regardless of age must also possess a

2019 fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a 2019 general game and habitat license. In

addition, hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a 2019 small game license or a

combination license before hunting wild turkeys.

4. FIREARMS AND ARCHERY EQUIPMENT:

* Shotguns--Only shotguns no larger than 10 gauge and capable of holding not more than

* Bows and Arrows--A bow must be pulled, held, and released by hand. Any release aid

may be used providing it is hand operated, the shooter supports the draw weight of the

bow, and the release is not attached to any part of the bow other than at the bowstring. A

compound bow used for hunting turkeys must have at least 35 pounds of draw at 28

inches or less draw length. Recurve and long bows used for hunting turkeys must have at

least 35 pounds of draw at 28 inches. Arrows must be at least 24 inches long, tipped with

a metal broadhead, with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at

least 3/4 inches (i.e., not able to pass through a 3/4 inch ring.). It is illegal to hunt turkeys

with barbed arrows. Broadheads with mechanical or retractable blades are legal.

Telescopic sights, range finding devices, battery-powered or electronically lighted sights

and Fish Department Director. When permitted, crossbows must: a) have a peak draw

weight of at least 75 pounds, b) be equipped with a working safety to prevent accidental

firing, c) have a stock at least 14 inches long, d) use arrows or bolts at least 14 inches in

length, e) Battery-powered and electronic-lighted sight pins and telescopic sights not

exceeding a maximum power of four by thirty-two millimeters may be attached to

crossbows used for hunting, and f) crossbow hunters must comply with all other archery

equipment regulations listed above.

* Handguns--Handguns of .35 cal. and larger with 4 inch or greater barrel length are legal.

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* It is illegal to shoot with bow and arrow or firearm while in or on a motor-driven vehicle.

* Unless otherwise authorized under N.D.C.C., it is illegal to carry a firearm in or on a

motor-driven vehicle with a shell in the chamber. The entire cylinder of a revolver is

motor-driven vehicle on that land other than on an established road or trail to hunt

turkeys.

* The use of all motor-driven vehicles on wildlife management areas is restricted to those

constructed roads, well worn trails, and parking areas normally used by passenger cars.

* No person may use motor-driven vehicles on North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s

Conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) property without permission

from the landowner. These areas have been entrusted to the public for walking access

through written agreements by private landowners. The boundaries of these properties

are described in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual Conservation

6. BAG LIMIT:

Immediately after the turkey has been killed, the hunter must indicate the date of kill by cutting

out the appropriate month and day from the tag provided with the license and attach it around the

leg of the turkey in an exact manner as illustrated on the back of the tag, to prevent its removal.

In no case is it legal to possess or transport a turkey unless it is properly tagged. The tag shall

remain with the carcass until it is packaged as food. No person may reuse or attempt to reuse any

tag issued. All tags must be kept in possession until the meat is consumed or disposed of.

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8. TRANSPORTATION:

* Wildlife management areas and refuges so posted, sanctuaries, federal military

installations, national parks, and historic sites are closed to the hunting of wild turkeys.

* It is illegal to hunt in unharvested crops without the owner's consent. Crops also include

alfalfa, clover, and other grasses grown for seed.

10. LICENSES AVAILABLE BY UNIT:

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The 2019 Spring Wild Turkey Proclamation provides the Outdoor Adventure Foundation with

four turkey licenses, valid in any open unit, for the 2019 spring season. In accordance with

N.D.C.C. 20.1-04-07.1, these four licenses shall be issued to a qualifying youth who has cancer

or a life-threatening illness.

No person shall kill, cripple, waste, destroy, spoil, or abandon the edible flesh of any wild turkey