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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 1999
RECORD FALL TURKEY SEASON HARVEST TOPS 3,000 MARK
COLUMBUS, OH - Hunters killed a record 3,047 wild turkeys during Ohio's fourth annual fall turkey hunting season held October 18-24 in 25 counties, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The preliminary figure is an increase of 147 percent from last year’s preliminary harvest total of 1,234.
Hunters checked in 1,207 wild turkeys during the 1997 fall season and 1,226 birds during the inaugural fall season in 1996.
"We have a record abundance of wild turkeys in Ohio and the popularity of turkey hunting continues to grow," said Division of Wildlife Chief Michael Budzik in explaining the increased fall season harvest figure.
Hunters took a combined 208 wild turkeys in three new counties where the fall turkey season was open for the first time this year. This total included 141 birds taken in Carroll County, 46 birds in Columbiana County, and 21 birds in Lawrence County.
Wildlife biologists say Ohio has a record turkey population, with more than 145,000 birds, about twice the estimate from six years ago. Wild turkeys are present in all but a few northwest and western Ohio counties. The wildlife agency said this winter it would begin a trap and transfer project to relocate wild turkeys to those counties where the birds are absent.
Hunters last week were allowed to take a wild turkey of either sex while hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. A fall turkey permit was required in addition to a valid hunting license to participate in the fall season.
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EDITORS NOTE: The following is a list of wild turkeys checked and tagged last week in each county. The number taken during the 1998 fall season is marked in ( ). This year's fall turkey season was open for the first time in Carroll, Columbiana and Lawrence counties. Athens, 114 (35); Belmont, 80 (46); Carroll, 141 (Closed); Columbiana, 46 (Closed); Coshocton, 204 (119); Gallia, 69 (38); Guernsey, 257 (113); Harrison, 216 (101); Hocking, 132 (39); Holmes, 99 (62); Jackson, 172 (54); Jefferson, 88 (47); Knox, 136 (87); Lawrence, 21 (Closed); Meigs, 102 (26); Monroe, 128 (51); Morgan, 121 (29); Muskingum, 152 (66); Noble, 135 (42); Perry, 129 (62); Pike, 20 (12); Ross, 61 (19); Tuscarawas, 176 (87); Vinton, 129 (54); and Washington 119 (45). Totals: 3,047 (1,234).
For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6539
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