Minnesota's spring turkey hunters have until Friday, Jan. 26, to apply for a lottery permit to bag a tom during the first two weeks of the season when licenses are in greatest demand.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has arranged this year's hunt into six periods (A, B, C, D, E and F). The hunts are spaced out from April 18 to May 31. For the A and B seasons, the permits are assigned via lottery drawing. Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail by mid-February and can purchase their hunting license starting March 1.

Firearms licenses for hunts C, D, E and F are not lottery-limited and will be available for purchase beginning March 1. All licensed turkey hunters can participate in Hunt F, starting May 23, if they have an unused tag from one of the earlier hunt periods.

The DNR gives leeway to archery hunters and youth hunters under age 18. They are exempt from the lottery and can purchase a spring turkey license valid during all hunt periods, including hunts A and B.

In the spring of 2016, the last period for which harvest data is available from the DNR, Minnesota wild turkey hunters registered 12,313 birds — the second-highest harvest on record in Minnesota.

St. Paul Outdoors Show

St. Paul's RiverCentre is poised to host the city's 48th annual boat, camping and vacation show starting Thursday and running through Sunday.

This year's Minnesota Sportsmen's Show will offer deals on fishing boats and pontoons, displays from a wide array of fishing and hunting resorts, discounts on outdoors equipment, a showcase of recreational vehicles, a live trout pond for the kids, hunting and fishing seminars and several family-oriented wildlife displays.

Outdoors journalist Ron Schara will appear with his dog, Raven, for kids' fishing workshops over the weekend. And a live monster buck, raised in captivity, will be shown by its owner.

Fishing and hunting seminars are slotted at various times, including Mike Wieben's instruction on how to train your dog to find antlers shed by deer and moose. Professional fishing guide Joe Henry will share "the basics for walleye success,'' including details on fishing with a crawler harness.

Pro angler Korey Sprengel will advise fishermen how to make better use of electronics.