DFG News Release

2008 Fall Turkey Hunts for Juniors and Adults at Lake Sonoma

Game Bird Heritage Program Special Hunt Events 2008:
Lake Sonoma Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunt for Juniors and
Lake Sonoma Fall Turkey Hunt for Adults

The Lake Sonoma Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunt for junior hunters is scheduled Nov. 8-9, the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Bay Delta Region announced. The application deadline is Oct. 20.

The Fall Lake Sonoma Turkey Hunt for adults will be held Nov. 15-16. The application deadline is Oct. 27.

Fifteen hunters will be drawn for each two-day hunt period and each hunter may take one hunting guest. Junior hunters must possess a valid California junior hunting license, and may take either another licensed junior hunter or a licensed adult hunter. Two junior hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Only permit holders will be allowed to hunt.

To apply for these special hunt events, hunters must submit an application prior to the application deadline. There are two methods to apply, but only one application is permitted, either as a party leader or as an additional hunter; duplicate applications will be disqualified from the drawing.

Method #1- Print and fill applications are available online at: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird, mail the application to: Department of Fish and Game, GBH Special Hunts, 1812 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 Postcard applications will not be accepted.

Or, Method #2- NEW this year: Junior and adult hunters are encouraged to apply online using an online application process. Visit the Web site at: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird, to access the electronic form. Draw results will be available online shortly after drawing is held. Successful applicants will be notified by mail.

Turkey Hunt Success 2007/2008: The four two-day hunts held in 2007-08 resulted in 53 hunters taking 13 wild turkeys, with an overall success rate of 24.5 percent. Junior hunters took five turkeys for 27 hunters or 18.5 percent success, and 26 adult hunters took eight turkeys for 31 percent success. These hunts remain very popular.