Young people are encouraged to sign up for the Third Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. Photo courtesy of Joel Flewelling, Vt Fish & Wildlife.

In an effort to promote youth hunting in Vermont, youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Third Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. The young hunters will be treated to a lunch-eon on Sunday, April 19, at the Waterbury Fish & Game Club, where they will take part in a discussion on the importance of the hunting tradition in Vermont.

The following weekend, the young hunters will take part in a guided turkey hunt to coincide with Vermont’s youth turkey hunting weekend on April 25-26.

“I always look forward to this event,” Governor Peter Shumlin said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a Vermont tradition with the young Vermonters who will carry it on for generations to come.”

Interested youth hunters are required to submit a completed application along with a letter explaining why they would like to participate in the event. Applications are available on the Fish & Wildlife Department website and must be submitted by April 1. The event is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and is open to any licensed hunter under the age of 16. Previous hunting experience is not required to participate.

“Youth participation in hunting across the country, including Vermont, has been on the decline,” said NWTF chapter president Don Isabelle. “We hope the Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt will help re-verse this trend and entice young people in Vermont back to hunting. Governor Shumlin is an ideal spokesman for this program. As a lifelong hunter, he understands the importance of this tradition.”

An initiative of the Vermont State Chapter of the NWTF, the Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt coincides with this year’s Jakes’ event, an annual youth turkey hunting event held by the NWTF to educate youth about wildlife conservation and stewardship of Vermont’s natural resources. Each youth hunter will be provided a guide from the NWTF.