The Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend 2017 is Saturday, April 1 (statewide) and Sunday, April 2 (private land only with the written permission of the landowner).
Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
Hunting hours both days are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, and the bag limit is one turkey (bearded bird only) per youth/apprentice hunter, per weekend. Turkeys harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice turkey hunters do not need a deer/turkey license on this weekend and may assist with calling (electronic calls are not allowed). The adult accompanying the youth or apprentice hunter is not allowed to carry or discharge a firearm. The adult hunter is required to maintain close visual and verbal contact with and provides adequate direction to the youth or apprentice hunter.
The Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting its second annual JAKES Youth Spring Gobbler Weekend Facebook Photo Contest during the weekend.
There are two winning categories, 12 and under, and 13-15 year old hunters. Two winners will receive a new 20 ga. pump shotgun. Youth do not have to harvest a turkey to enter the contest, but you must post a picture of you in the field during the hunt while holding a sign or piece of paper with the hashtag #VA-JAKES.
The shotgun will need to be registered to the parent or guardian, and both winners must meet all FFL requirements.
For more information, visit the Virginia NWTF website at http://www.vanwtf.com for directions on how to post the photo and contest rules.