Winter turkey season to begin

Winter turkey season will open Jan. 12 for the first time, according to N.C. Wildlife officer Brian Blankenship. The season will end on Jan. 17. Hunters may kill only one bird of either sex during the new season, which was announced by state officials earlier this year.

"Turkey populations are very high in this area right now," said Blankenship. Even so, with the new season, it is difficult to tell what level of participation there will be, he said.

North Carolina's spring gobbler season will be held in April again this year.

"The extra season will give hunters another opportunity to bag a turkey," he said. "We think participation will increase when people get used to having the extra season."

Neighboring Virginia has had a fall and spring season for gobblers for some time, but this is the first time in recent years that North Carolina has offered two hunting seasons for turkeys.

He noted that wildlife officers will be continuing to monitor tagging and registering of turkeys, similar to the operation that was conducted during deer season.

"Anyone who kills a turkey must notch their big game card at the site of the kill and then immediately report to a certified checking agent," said Blankenship. "Before the animal is skinned or cut into pieces, it must be checked in." The only thing hunters may legally do to an animal before registering its kill is field dress it, which involves removing the animal's entrails only.

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