REGIONAL— As recently as ten years ago, the notion of hunting wild turkeys in northern St. Louis County would have seemed ludicrous— right up there with hunting for sasquatch.
What a difference a decade can make. With a warming climate and the expansion of recreational deer feeding, which has left corn and other turkey-friendly foods across the landscape, wild turkeys have moved into the North Country in significant numbers. Whether you’re in Orr, or Ely, or anywhere in between, spotting a turkey or a whole brood of turkeys out along an area highway or field is hardly surprising anymore. And that means a new opportunity for area hunters to bag quarry with a bit more heft than your typical ruffed grouse.
Minnesota’s fall turkey season gets underway this Saturday, Oct. 1 and it’s a hunt that’s likely to attract at least a few hunters up here in the north.
If you’d like to give it a try, you’ll need to buy another license. Your small game license may work for ruffed grouse, but you’ll need a turkey license if you want to bag a bird fit for your Thanksgiving spread.
Hunters are allowed to take one turkey of either sex during the fall season. Fall turkey hunters may use a crossbow, firearm or bow and arrow.
Fall turkey licenses are available for purchase online, by telephone by calling 
888-665-4236 or in person anywhere DNR licenses are sold. More information about fall turkey hunting is available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey).