Outdoor News Daily

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – Turkey hunters across the state are dusting off their calls in preparation for the upcoming turkey season. Opening day is Sat., Mar. 21 and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division anticipates another enjoyable season.

The 2009 season should be respectable, and harvest levels should be similar in comparison with past years’ harvests.

Last year’s reproduction data suggests that turkey production was good in many parts of Georgia in 2008,” explains Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator. “In fact, last year’s hatch was the best since 2002.”

“However, reproduction rates in four of the last five years have been
poor and we have seen a decline in the overall turkey population,”
continues Lowrey. “While it likely will take some time for the
population to rebound, last year’s increase in reproduction is a
positive reminder that when habitat conditions are right and weather is
favorable, the turkey population is quick to respond.”

Statistics from the 2008 season harvest summary indicate that an
estimated 49,237 resident Georgia hunters bagged 24,297 turkeys last
year. The bird to hunter ratio (harvest rate) for 2008 was .49 birds per
hunter – the same as in 2007.

According to Lowrey, Georgia’s current turkey population is estimated
at 300,000 birds.

Georgia turkey hunters are privileged with one of the longest turkey
seasons nationwide. With a bag limit of three gobblers per season,
hunters have from Mar. 21 through May 15 to harvest their bird(s).

Because most hunters pursue wild turkeys on private lands, the Wildlife
Resources Division reminds hunters to always obtain landowner permission
before hunting.

WMA Hunting Opportunities

Georgia’s Wildlife Management Areas offer excellent turkey hunting
opportunities. Through the WMA system, resident hunters have access to
nearly one million acres of prime hunting land for just $19 a year.

Success rates and total harvest numbers from 2008 may help indicate
which WMAs hunters should target this year.

In the northwest, Pine Log WMA and Berry College WMA reported the
highest harvest rates. In the northeast, Warwoman WMA and Swallow Creek
WMA had the highest success rates. In west central Georgia, hunters
should try Blanton Creek WMA and Rum Creek WMA. In east central Georgia,
Di-Lane Plantation WMA and Yuchi WMA reported high harvest rates. In the
southeast, hunters should visit Dixon Memorial WMA and Griffin Ridge
WMA.

A special WMA license is required for any person 16 years or older who
does not possess a valid honorary, sportsman or lifetime license when
hunting wild turkey on a WMA, Public Fishing Area or State Park. In
addition, both a valid hunting license and a big game license are
required to legally hunt wild turkey. Wild turkey legally can be hunted
with shotguns, loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading
firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow.

Conservation of the Wild Turkey in Georgia

The comeback of the wild turkey is one of Georgia’s great
conservation success stories. Although the bird population currently
hovers around 300,000 statewide, as recently as 1973, the wild turkey
population was as low as 17,000. Intensive restoration efforts, such as
the restocking of wild birds and increased emphasis on biologically
sound hunting seasons, have helped re-establish turkeys in suitable
habitat in every county. This resurgence is due to the efforts of
private landowners, hunters and conservation organizations like the
National Wild Turkey Federation.

The Georgia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has donated
more than $3 million since 1985 on projects that benefit wild turkey and
other wildlife. The NWTF works cooperatively in partnership with the
Wildlife Resources Division and other land management agencies to put
such projects on the ground. There currently are 112 state chapters of
the NWTF with membership totals of more than 18,000.

For more information regarding wild turkey hunting opportunities, WMA
hunting opportunities, 2009 wild turkey hunting seasons, regulations or
license requirements in Georgia, visit http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

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