Minnesota hunters tallied a record number of turkeys in 2009, killing 12,210 birds, or 11 percent more than 2008's total. Photo by Travis Faulkner.

There are all sorts of famous quotes and often-repeated clichés about the word "opportunity," none of which are directly related to turkey hunting. You could check the quote books and Web sites, but a quirky saying pairing opportunity with turkey hunting just doesn't exist.

That is, until now.

"Our hope for the spring 2010 turkey-hunting season is that anybody who truly wants to turkey hunt in the spring will have the opportunity to do so," said Eric Dunton, wildlife research biologist with the Minnesota DNR's Farmland Wildlife Populations and Research Group.

The quote probably won't make it into any books or Web sites featuring highly inspirational quotes. Still, it is solid gold for Minnesota's turkey hunters and the thousands of people who would like to try it this year.

What makes it a golden statement is that it represents a significant turning point in Minnesota's three-decades-old spring turkey-hunting season. It means that adjustments have been made to allow every hunter the opportunity to spring turkey hunt this year.

There is still a lottery system in place and the first six periods will be limited in number by permit area, but the final two periods of the spring season will be over the counter. "We're getting rid of the second-choice option that's existed for the last few years and opening the last two time periods for over-the-counter sale," Dunton said.

For the last few years, this has only been an option for bowhunters, but now it's open to shotgun hunters too. "This streamlines the process for hunters and we're looking to introduce more people to turkey hunting. Since we have a very strong turkey population, we can be a little more liberal in our harvest strategies."

Still, it is not like Dunton and the turkey-hunting decision-makers in St. Paul are opening the doors for just anybody. "We've been conservative with turkey management in the state, and we've increased permits based on the population as it grows and our estimates are that it will continue to grow at a similar pace for awhile," he said.

The spring of 2010 will be the 33rd spring turkey-hunting season in state history, and the success of turkey hunting in Minnesota has been well documented. In the early 1970s, turkeys were reintroduced into Minnesota. The first hunt took place in 1978, and 94 birds were harvested. Compare that with the spring 2009 season, when 12,210 turkeys were taken.

Back then, turkeys were only found in the southeastern corner of the state. Today, turkeys are found throughout the state with the exception of northeastern Minnesota. There is a well-established population in the southern third of the state that is very healthy, as well as a still-increasing population throughout the rest of the range.

Probably an even more significant change for 2010 is the fact that youth hunters will no longer be part of the lottery application system. "This means that any youths (age 17 and under) can go turkey hunting by purchasing their licenses over the counter for any season, any time period," Dunton said.

Youths will still only be able to hunt in one of the eight periods of the 2010 season, but they won't have to apply ahead of time. It means more flexibility in planning and more opportunity across the board for getting kids in the field in pursuit of turkeys. "Instead of the permit area dictating how many kids can hunt, the only limitation is how many youths are interested in turkey hunting," said Mike Kurre, the MDNR's mentor program coordinator.

"We are very proud, excited and thrilled that there won't be one kid in 2010 who won't get to go turkey hunting," said Tom Glines, senior regional director for the National Wild Turkey Federation. The NWTF has lobbied hard for this adjustment over the years. "Around 6,000 youths applied in the lottery last year, and only 3,500 were drawn, meaning we're leaving about half the kids home," he added.