Photo: North Dakota Game & Fish Department

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As the deadline for spring turkey season approaches, hunters are encouraged to apply for a different unit to increase their chances of getting a license.

North Dakota Game & Fish Wildlife Biologist Doug Leier says the deadline to apply is February 16th and those who have yet to apply should do so.

With some time before the deadline, Leier says hunters should consider other units that have a greater number of tags available.

Applicants should note that a general game and habitat license is required when applying for a turkey license. The applicant has the option of having the general game and habitat license refunded if their turkey license is not drawn in the lottery.

In addition, hunters 16 and older must possess a small game license, or combination license.

First-time spring turkey hunters 15 or younger are eligible to receive one spring license valid for any open unit. To be eligible, the youth hunter must be 15 or younger on opening day of spring turkey season and have never received a spring turkey license in North Dakota.

Spring turkey licenses are available only to North Dakota residents. Per legislation, four spring wild turkey licenses are made available to the Outdoor Adventure Foundation and three to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Leier says the season will run April 9th through May 15th in North Dakota.

You can listen to Doug Leier talk the Great Outdoors with JD in the Morning on Big Dog 95.5 FM every Thursday at 7:35 AM.