FINAL SPRING TURKEY SEASON FIGURES

MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader Jim Cardoza reports 2,276 wild turkeys taken by licensed hunters during the 2005 spring season. This is an increase over the 2004 season (2,068) and only 87 less than the record harvest of 2,363 turkeys taken in 1999. Looking at the harvest by county, 6 turkeys were taken in Barnstable, 454 in Berkshire, 48 in Bristol, 2 in Dukes, 70 in Essex, 389 in Franklin, 175 in Hampden, 220 in Hampshire, 97 in Middlesex, 35 in Norfolk, 96 in Plymouth and 684 in Worcester. Opening week of the season yielded 1,420 birds. 39 birds were taken by archers, surpassing a previous record of 31 birds in 2004. Adult male or "tom" turkeys amounted to 1,145 birds of the kill, while 1,119 immature males or "jakes" were taken. The remaining 12 birds were bearded hens. "The excellent harvest in 2005 is probably attributable two factors,” said Cardoza. “One, good weather brings out more hunters and secondly, there are larger  turkey populations in most areas due in large part to a good hatch in summer 2004, as compared to rather poor nesting production in 2003. " He further noted that 153 birds were taken by hunters from 16 states.  Cardoza estimates the statewide fall turkey population to be around 18-20,000 birds. Turkey enthusiasts are reminded that they can assist in estimating the fall population of turkeys by reporting turkey broods in their area through the month of August. A survey form is located in the Wild Turkey area at   www.mass.gov/masswildlife.