(ANC) Hunting in Central New York is a common pass time. The region has healthy populations of deer, geese, ducks and other waterfowl and small game animals. These are popular prizes for hunters in the area. However, as of May first, turkeys became fair game. As an Eastern Long Island native, reporter Chelsea Siegal (SEA-gull) didn't grow up as a hunter. But, she went out to find the hype about turkeys, hunting and how it's an enjoyable pass time for friends and family. To do so, she talked with some locals around town and made a few calls. RUNS: x:xx <car natural sound> (TRACK 1) As I drove down South Salina Street in Nedrow, I came across Intimidator Sports. Behind the counter, I found shop owner Tim Nelson. Tim, born and raised in nedrow, has been hunting here for over 30 years. As his family expanded, he brought them along as well. Tim went through the process with me about how a resident can go hunting. DURATION:0'07"] <In New York State, you have to take your hunter's safety course, and then you can, um, Printed:5/3/2018 10:42 PM by Chelsea Siegal Page 1
get your hunting license.> (Track 2) Once you have your license, the proper hunting location is the next step. DURATION:0'07"] <Usually the forest in the early, early morning. But then they're coming out in the fields to eat, and you can only hunt them until noon.> (Track 3) Tim told me that each season, hunters can kill two birds during the season, but only one per day. So, next I wondered what type of artillery is best for turkey hunting? Or, even if the gun type or gauge mattered? DURATION:0'09"] <You can use archery or you can use a shotgun you can use 410, 28, uh, 20, 16, or 12 > (Track 4) Tim even showed me the proper way to hold and aim a gun while hunting. <gun shot natural sound> (Track 5) Printed:5/3/2018 10:42 PM by Chelsea Siegal Page 2
According to Tim, turkeys are one of the smartest animals out there - they have excellent eyesight and hearing. In order to successfully hunt a turkey, it takes a lot of patience and waiting in silence. While turkey hunting is a long, quiet process that happens from sunrise to noon, sitting in the grass takes a lot of patience. DURATION:0'04"] <phone dialing natural sound> (Track 6) To find out more, I reached out to Anthony Gallerani (gale-err-ah-knee), a turkey hunting Cortland native who currently lives in Central Jersey. He remembers that even as a teenager, hunting turkeys was always worth the wait. DURATION:0'25"] <The first time I went out, by myself, um, it was youth day, I was 13, um, and I went out. Before that I always went out with my father. So I went out by myself, and the day was perfect. Perfect weather, the birds were talking, and I actually shot a decent sized tom that day.> (Track 7) For Anthony, turkey hunting was always considered a family outing. DURATION:0'09"] <Whenever I go out with my father, you know, it's always just a good time. I mean, I don't need to worry about work, you just go spend some time in the woods.> Printed:5/3/2018 10:42 PM by Chelsea Siegal Page 3
(Track 8) While Anthony has hunted many different types of animals, he says that hunting for turkeys is truly a one-of-a-kind experience for any kind of hunter. DURATION:0'08"] <It's very exciting, you're always gonna hear birds talking, and when the turkeys gobble it's it's own sound, there's nothing like it.> (Track 9) Additionally, he said that the warm weather really helps with the entire experience. DURATION:0'12"] <When it gets to that time in the morning, the woods really come alive. You hear the birds and everything start to wake up, and you hear the turkeys gobble, it's its own experience.> (Track 10) As I was getting off the phone with Anthony, he brought up one of the most important aspects of hunting: always making sure your fellow hunters and surroundings are safe. DURATION:0'12"] <Always be safe, always be safe when turkey hunting because there's a lot of stuff going on. People will shoot at sounds, it could very well be another hunter, and you gotta know your target, you gotta know what you're shooting at.> (Track 11) Printed:5/3/2018 10:42 PM by Chelsea Siegal Page 4
At the end of the season, the Gallerani's like to mount the turkey fans on the walls of their home. Hunters in Central New York have until May 31 to get their fair share of Spring turkey hunting in. <Turkey gobble natural sound> (Track 12) Chelsea Siegal, N-C-C News. Printed:5/3/2018 10:42 PM by Chelsea Siegal Page 5