Kansas’ regular spring turkey season will begin Wednesday, and two words exemplify the perfect hunt – safety and safety.

Responsible hunters are sure of their targets before firing, and they hunt defensively to protect themselves from the mistakes of others.

Here are just a few defensive safety tips to follow when pursuing America’s largest game bird:

¢ set up against a stump, tree, or rock that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head.

¢ never wear or carry the colors red, white, light blue or black – the colors of a wild turkey gobbler – when turkey hunting.

¢ eliminating movement is the key to success, not concealment, so setting up in open timber rather than thick brush is a good idea.

¢ assume the noise you hear is another hunter.

¢ avoid imitating the sound of a gobbling turkey.

¢ never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence, but remain still and call out in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence.

¢ watch other game and listen for the alarm cries of blue jays, crows, squirrels or woodpeckers that can tip you off to the presence of another hunter.

The regular season will run through May 31.

No hunting license is required for resident hunters ages 15 and younger, but a valid Kansas turkey permit is required. Go to kdwp.state.ks.us for information.