Hunters under the age of 16 checked 882 birds during the two-day hunt to open the 2020 spring turkey season Easter weekend. Despite a major cold front, there was a 27% increase from last year.
The increase came even with circumstances working against the hunters. The Easter observance may have prevented some hunters from participating. Also, current concerns over the spread of coronavirus may have kept some hunters at home with the closures of campgrounds and one WMA.
A major storm front blew through the state Sunday, stacking conditions in favor of the turkeys, but many youths and their mentors found a way to bring home a bird.
“Opening day had pretty decent conditions, and we saw almost a 50% increase in harvest compared to opening day last year,” said Jeremy Wood, turkey program coordinator. “Sunday did see a drop, but there were still plenty of people able to connect with a bird. There were a few portions of the state that saw a few hours of good conditions on Sunday afternoon that some youth hunters capitalized on.”
Regular turkey season began April 13 and runs through April 28 in turkey zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10 and 17 with a two-bird bag limit. Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A and 9A close April 21 and have a one-bird bag limit.
Only youth hunters may harvest immature gobblers (jakes), and they may only take one per season.
Wood says the front that may have affected Sunday’s harvest also brought some cold, windy conditions that have made for a tough start to the regular season.
“Hunters also can continue to help us track turkey populations by participating in the 2020 Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey right now, and the annual summer Quail and Turkey Brood Survey this summer,” Wood said.
“Counting checked birds gives us one piece of the puzzle, but these surveys help us get a clearer picture of how the turkey flock is doing and responding to different management practices.”
Information on turkey seasons, harvest summaries and ways to help turkey conservation is available online.