COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters killed 8,883 wild turkeys in the first seven days of the spring hunting season, despite less-than-perfect weather conditions last weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Last year’s total for the first week was 8,998 birds harvested. Top ten counties in the 2005 spring harvest thus far are: Coshocton - 326; Meigs and Harrison - 309 each; Guernsey - 291; Washington - 284; Athens - 282; Jackson - 274; Tuscarawas - 269; Ashtabula - 259; and Clermont - 242.
“The youth-only season and opening day got this year’s spring turkey season off to a good start,” said Dave Swanson, forest research biologist
with the Division of Wildlife. “Hunters still have three more weeks of the season to go and should find more birds in the field than last year.”
Hunters age 17 and younger killed 1,612 birds during a special youth-only season held the weekend of April 16-17. Last year’s number was 1,520.Opening day figures for 2005, which are included in the seven-day total, were also up from last year.
Spring wild turkey hunters may hunt in all 88 counties (except Lake La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County). The season remains open through May 15 and hunting can take place 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.