Wednesday, March 19, 2003
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Wednesday, March 19, 2003 |
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Gobbler time in Georgia Statewide turkey season opens this weekend
Gobble! Gobble! Hunters across the state will have a chance to harvest one of the most magnificent birds found in Georgia during the upcoming wild turkey season. The season opens Saturday, March 22, and runs through May 15, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Last year, approximately 42,000 turkey hunters harvested over 27,000 turkeys. "Turkey hunting is very popular in Georgia, with most hunters rating last season as good or excellent, and I expect the harvest this year to be very similar to last year," said Wild Turkey Project Coordinator Haven Barnhill. "Poultry production was better last year than any year since 1996 so we can expect to see more jakes (one year old male turkeys) than in the past two years." Georgia has one of the longest wild turkey seasons in the United States. Only male turkeys may be harvested with a bag limit of three gobblers per season. Hunters choosing to pursue wild turkeys on private land should always obtain permission from the landowner before hunting. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and big game license to legally hunt wild turkeys. If hunting on a WMA, a WMA license also is required. Hunters are reminded that 2002-2003 licenses expire on March 31, 2003 and should ensure their licenses are current. Wild turkeys legally can be hunted with shotguns loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading rifle, longbow, crossbow or compound bow. "Some of the best turkey hunting available is on public land - which encompasses less than seven percent of the state. Over one-third of Georgia turkey hunters use these lands," said Barnhill. "Healthy turkey populations are found on WMA's throughout the state, and WMA's in the upper coastal plain may offer some of the top public hunting this season." The comeback of the wild turkey is one of the great Georgia conservation success stories. Statewide, these birds now number approximately 300,000; but as recently as 1973, the wild turkey population was as low as 17,000. Intensive restoration efforts, such as the relocation 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. The Georgia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with WRD, has spent more than $1.7 million since 1987, and over $220,000 during the past year, on projects that benefit wild turkey and other wildlife. There are more than 70 state chapters of the NWTF and membership totals more than 12,000. For more information on turkey hunting in Georgia, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact a WRD Game Management Office or call 770-918-6416.
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