COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters killed 10,797 wild turkeys in the first seven days of the spring hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year 8,883 birds were harvested during the first week.

So far this season, the 10 counties harvesting the most turkeys are: Ashtabula (381), Harrison (375), Meigs (374), Guernsey (358), Athens (355), Coshocton (326), Tuscarawas (317), Jackson (311), Washington (306), and Belmont (275).

“Hunters still have three weeks of hunting to kill their gobbler,” said Dave Swanson, forest research biologist with the Division of Wildlife. “More birds can be found in our woods and fields this spring thanks to above average reproductive success in the last two years.”

Hunters age 17 and younger killed 1,872 birds during a special youth-only season held the weekend of April 22-23, compared to last year’s 1,612. Top youth counties this season were: Ashtabula (76), Washington (72), Ashland and Coshocton (63), Harrison and Jackson (60), Meigs (54), Monroe (53), and Brown and Columbiana (50).

Opening day figures of 3,058 birds also are up from last year’s 2,824. The season remains open through May 21.
Spring wild turkey hunters may hunt in all 88 counties (except Lake La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County). Turkey hunting is permitted one-half hour before sunrise until noon daily. Hunters may take two bearded turkeys per spring season. Shotguns using shot, crossbows, and longbows are legal during this season. A spring turkey permit is required along with an Ohio hunting license.

For more information about Ohio’s spring wild turkey hunting season, visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com/wildlife
 

For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com