The statewide turkey hunting season opens later this month, giving hunters a chance to harvest this magnificent bird. The season opens on Saturday, March 26 and runs through Sunday, May 15, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Last year, approximately 36,800 turkey hunters harvested more than 24,000 turkeys.

“Georgia’s turkey population remains very healthy, but low reproduction during the past two years may result in a slight decline in our statewide turkey harvest this season,” says WRD Wild Turkey Project Coordinator Haven Barnhill. “Poor reproduction means fewer one and two year old turkeys are present this year. However, hunters can expect to hear excellent gobbling activity from older toms. ”

Georgia has one of the longest turkey seasons in the United States. Hunters may harvest male turkeys only and the bag limit is three gobblers per season. Hunters choosing to pursue wild turkeys on private land always should obtain permission from the landowner before hunting. A valid hunting license and big game license are required to hunt wild turkeys. If hunting on a wildlife management area (WMA), a WMA license also is required. Wild turkeys legally can be hunted with shotguns loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow.

The comeback of the wild turkey is one of the great Georgia conservation success stories. Statewide, these birds now number approximately 350,000; but as recently as 1973, the wild turkey population was as low as 17,000. Intensive restoration efforts, such as the re-stocking 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 (NWTF), in partnership with WRD, has approved more than $2.7 million since 1987, and more than $251,000 during the past year, on projects that benefit wild turkeys and other wildlife. There are 99 active chapters of the NWTF in Georgia and membership totals more than 15,000.

For more information on turkey hunting in Georgia, visit the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact a WRD Game Management Office or call the Hunter Services Office at (770) 761-3044.

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