COLUMBUS, OH -- Hunters harvested a record 3,288 wild turkeys during Ohios sixth annual fall turkey hunting season that was open in 32 counties October 13-28, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The preliminary figure is an increase of 35 percent, or 860 birds, over last years final total of 2,428. Hunters checked in 1,250 birds during the inaugural fall season in 1996.
Hunters took a combined 522 turkeys in Ashtabula, Geauga, Licking, and Trumbull counties where the fall turkey season was open for the first time this year. This total included 206 turkeys taken in Ashtabula County, 121 in Geauga County, 58 in Licking County and 137 in Trumbull County.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife says Ohio has a record abundance of wild turkeys numbering about 260,000 birds statewide. Wild turkeys, absent in the state a half-century ago, now inhabit each of Ohios 88 counties.
Hunters 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 hunting license to participate in the fall season.
EDITORS NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF WILD TURKEYS CHECKED AND TAGGED DURING THE FALL TURKEY HUNTING SEASON IN EACH OF THE 32 OPEN COUNTIES. THE FINAL NUMBER TAKEN DURING THE 2000 FALL TURKEY SEASON IS MARKED IN ( ). THIS YEARS FALL SEASON WAS OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ASHTABULA, GEAUGA, LICKING, AND TRUMBULL COUNTIES.
Adams, 83 (63); Ashtabula, 206 (0); Athens, 92 (60); Belmont, 86 (88); Brown, 70 (99); Carroll, 90 (84); Clermont, 56 (44); Columbiana, 60 (31); Coshocton, 199 (205); Gallia, 79 (67); Geauga, 121 (0); Guernsey, 190 (203); Harrison, 143 (140); Hocking, 99 (76); Holmes, 111 (87); Jackson, 150 (61); Jefferson, 59 (80); Knox, 100 (137); Lawrence, 37 (14); Licking, 58 (0); Meigs, 92 (60); Monroe, 130 (87); Morgan, 89 (96); Muskingum , 117 (175); Noble , 88 (114); Perry, 138 (93); Pike, 37 (18); Ross, 64 (26); Trumbull ,137 (0); Tuscarawas ,130 (103); Vinton, 92 (67); Washington, 83 (50)